When a veteran actor puts their faith in a young director, magic can happen when the material is right and when that young director has the same integrity for great filmmaking as the veteran actor. Such was the case for Joan Crawford in the "Night Gallery" episode directed by Steven Spielberg, and even more so is the case for Bette Davis in this TV movie directed by little Opie Taylor/Richie Cunningham, Ron Howard. The subject matter is one that many people can identify with: succeeding in spite of seemingly hopeless odds and following one's dreams in spite of the obstacles people try to put in their way. For Bette Davis, her role here is supporting, but she shines as she works amongst a young cast which includes the understated Suzy Barbieri in the leading role of a crippled young lady who finds her own dreams coming true when she is given the ability to learn how to fly planes. Parents Marion Ross and Clu Gulager have no idea of what she is up to, and barbie doll beauty older sister Lisa Whelchel ("The Facts of Life's" spoiled Blair) seems to have it all, basically putting Barbieri in the shadow both in school and at home.
To make it clear, Barbieri's character is not a saint. She's far too shy for her own good, a trait instigated by her presence in a wheelchair, insecure over what the kids at her new school think of her, even though she quickly befriends the handsome football jock Ben Marley. An attempted date with Marley going to see the movies results in Barbieri wheeling herself out in anger over theater policies, embarrassed by having to be carried in, and later on, after flight instructor Davis disciplines her for a mistake during a lesson, she does indeed, as Davis tells her, act like a child. But her desire to fly soon overcomes her stubbornness, and the apology scene is quite touching. "WKRP in Cincinatti's" Howard Hessman has a good role as a plane mechanic who becomes Barbieri's confidante, having several amusing scenes with Davis who also runs the small airport runway's greasy spoon diner. Barbieri almost loses the trust of Davis when she lies about getting the examination she would need to get a student license, something which could have major legal ramifications for Davis, but Davis's character has an amazing ability to forgive and understand. Once again, Davis lights up the screen with a single smile, with the years falling off of her as she glows in the final scene.
The details surrounding the family and Barbieri's friendship with Marley are very well drawn out as well, with father Gallagher obviously unsure of how to deal with his daughter's situation and thus leaving everything in the hands of mom Ross. This isn't Marion Ross's mother from "Happy Days" here; She's a more modern mother, more concerned with guiding her children in the right directions than just seeing them diving into her home made apple pie. She gets to show more frustration in being the busy stay at home mom than Marion Cunningham did, which is a nice twist for TV son Ron Howard to have added for her character. It's obvious that Whelchel's character is a bit more down to earth than the snooty Blair, sharing her wardrobe with her sister she refuses to treat as a cripple and longs to help bring out of her shell. However, the real praise has to go to Marley who adds so much insight into his character that makes him more than just another stupid high school jock. Several key scenes show his soul and hurts very deeply, as well as his very human issues with Barbieri succeeding in her dreams in spite of her physical obstacles while he is bumped from the football team for being a weak player in spite of his desires to be the star player. It's the little details like that which makes this TV movie stand up high and tall, showing that there is no dream too big for anybody to try to succeed when they have the drive and the heart.
To make it clear, Barbieri's character is not a saint. She's far too shy for her own good, a trait instigated by her presence in a wheelchair, insecure over what the kids at her new school think of her, even though she quickly befriends the handsome football jock Ben Marley. An attempted date with Marley going to see the movies results in Barbieri wheeling herself out in anger over theater policies, embarrassed by having to be carried in, and later on, after flight instructor Davis disciplines her for a mistake during a lesson, she does indeed, as Davis tells her, act like a child. But her desire to fly soon overcomes her stubbornness, and the apology scene is quite touching. "WKRP in Cincinatti's" Howard Hessman has a good role as a plane mechanic who becomes Barbieri's confidante, having several amusing scenes with Davis who also runs the small airport runway's greasy spoon diner. Barbieri almost loses the trust of Davis when she lies about getting the examination she would need to get a student license, something which could have major legal ramifications for Davis, but Davis's character has an amazing ability to forgive and understand. Once again, Davis lights up the screen with a single smile, with the years falling off of her as she glows in the final scene.
The details surrounding the family and Barbieri's friendship with Marley are very well drawn out as well, with father Gallagher obviously unsure of how to deal with his daughter's situation and thus leaving everything in the hands of mom Ross. This isn't Marion Ross's mother from "Happy Days" here; She's a more modern mother, more concerned with guiding her children in the right directions than just seeing them diving into her home made apple pie. She gets to show more frustration in being the busy stay at home mom than Marion Cunningham did, which is a nice twist for TV son Ron Howard to have added for her character. It's obvious that Whelchel's character is a bit more down to earth than the snooty Blair, sharing her wardrobe with her sister she refuses to treat as a cripple and longs to help bring out of her shell. However, the real praise has to go to Marley who adds so much insight into his character that makes him more than just another stupid high school jock. Several key scenes show his soul and hurts very deeply, as well as his very human issues with Barbieri succeeding in her dreams in spite of her physical obstacles while he is bumped from the football team for being a weak player in spite of his desires to be the star player. It's the little details like that which makes this TV movie stand up high and tall, showing that there is no dream too big for anybody to try to succeed when they have the drive and the heart.