Jewel (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

Poignantly told

[jamiecostelo58 · 6/10 · 6 December 2006]

A hard-hitting TV film, Jewel really hits home the stresses and strains of bringing up a Down's Syndrome child. It's also a factual movie, where we learn that just because a child has a disability it does not mean it can't be loved any different to a 'normal' child.

It must have been horrendous to look after a disabled child in the 1940s, and this movie strongly points that out. Farrah Fawcett and Patrick Bergin simply shine in their roles as the parents, with a credible performance from Cicely Tyson as Cathedral.

Why should a Down's Syndrome child be treated any different? They shouldn't under any circumstances, and for people who cannot except that should probably think again.

Wonderfully told, and beautiful detailed, Jewel is one hell of a TV movie, and a great one at that.

Nice emotional story

[Melissa Alice · 7/10 · 13 February 2001]

The title character, Jewel, is a mother of four, and is happy about her upcoming fifth child. But her housekeeper has strange prophesies that this child will not be like others...and soon enough Jewel realizes there is something different about her baby daughter, Brenda Kay. Jewel consults two doctors and finds that Brenda Kay has Down Syndrome and might not live past two years old. Jewel is determined to give Brenda Kay all the love and care she can; determined that her daughter will live past two years and feel loved. Brenda Kay does live, and she is shown much love by her family. But Jewel's other daughters have problems of their own, and there are tensions that worsen over the years. Will Jewel learn that there's a letting go to loving?

There are a couple of negatives to this movie, mostly just the swearing/using the Lord's name in vain, which occurs four or five times.

A typical, conservative TV movie

[philip_vanderveken · 5/10 · 4 December 2004]

"Jewel" is a typical TV movie about a subject that will make a lot of housewives cry their eyes out. It's about a large, very Christian and happy family in the 1940's that will soon be "blessed" with a 5th child. But of course there are some complications. The child appears to have the Syndrome of Down, and will ask all her mother's attention. Mom does everything for her daughter but forgets that there are other people around her as well...

All in all it isn't the worst movie I've ever seen, but it never stands out above the average. This isn't much more but typical TV pulp. The acting is quite good (for this kind of movies), but the actors aren't able to give an extra touch to the uninspired script.

I'm sure this movie will be loved by many, especially by women in their 40's, 50's or older, but personally I find this movie nothing special and not worth a second watch. It's message like "you can run but you can never hide from your problems" and "you have to take your life the way God has intended it to be" is much too conservative to my taste, but I'm sure the average American will love it. The only problem: I'm not average and certainly not American... I give it a 5/10.

Lovely story,that could have been played out better.

[menaka · 16 April 2002]

'Jewel' the title character,played by Farrah Fawcett,is a mother of four children who now middle-aged awaits her fifth child.Her newborn baby girl is named Brenda Kay and soon after doctors discover that Brenda Kay has Down Syndrome.They give her 2 years to live but Jewel is undaunted.She believes that if she loves Brenda Kay enough everything will be alright.

That is the basic story and Fawcett handles the character of Jewel well.She plays a woman who has resolved to give up anything and everything to ensure the happiness and well-being of her daughter,even if it means that she does so at the expense of her other children and her husband.The story and the characters were handled well enough but personally,it did not make as much of an emotional impact as it could have and the ending was rather disappointing.

Not Enough

[mwanainchi · 4/10 · 31 August 2018]

The movie has a great story, could be better though. The character of Jewel is especially annoying and unbearable to watch. If Netflix didn't exist and if you were stuck in a blizzard with no hope of finding something to do, this is the movie the movie to watch.

Absolute truth about how people with Down syndrome were treated back then.

[grandpa73 · 10/10 · 6 August 2001]

Our 17 mo. old daughter has Down syndrome and this movie really put into perspective how people with Down syndrome were treated years gone by. Fortunately, Jewel was strong enough to know that her daughter would have a productive life...and by God, she did! God bless all those who went against the system and succeeded. Steps to a brighter future is our goal!!!

Family story

[katsmeow-12757 · 8/10 · 10 August 2020]

I thought this movie was very good. It showed so much emotion within the family. Farah Faucett was excellent portraying the Mother of a mentally challenged child. It also showed the emotional turmoil which impacted the family as a whole. But I felt it brought out some very true feelings that can occur with parents who have mentally challenged children.

Well done

[astarrydream · 10/10 · 1 October 2023]

I have never heard of this movie until yesterday when I was doing research on movies with actors and actresses that have Down Syndrome. I have Mosaic Down Syndrome and so it got me into tears a few times. Times were different in the 1940s - 1950s. I have had a difficult life but I do well considering. I live on my own, I can drive, and most importantly I give hope and inspiration to new families when they get the diagnosis that their child has Down Syndrome. I love doing what I'm doing in the Down Syndrome community. Providing acceptance, kindness and inclusion

The cast did a super job on accepting.

Superior Portrayal of a Sensitive Subject With a Happy Ending

[Scoval71 · 9/10 · 25 September 2007]

My review for this movie is way up there. Farrah, as usual, delivers an excellent, realistic performance. I always said she was and is a great actress. The husband was a bit weak, but, overall, a fine performance from him as well, and let's not forget the young lady who played Brenda Kay, either. I caught this movie on late night LMN, started watching it and was quite moved at many points throughout the film. I feel it shows the plight and decisions a poor struggling family in Mississippi had to make for the love of their retarded daughter, their move to California, and their ultimate decisions that needed to be made. Their is a real evolution in the family, and Brenda Kay is not the only member with problems. Farrah's performance is superior; don't miss this "jewel" of a movie; it's a gem. Excellent.

Only partially based on a true story

[stellamccraw · 26 June 2009]

The movie is listed as factual but is only partially factual. The main character Jewel went by Myrtis as it is her 1st name and Jewel is her middle name. The part about them moving from Mississippi to California is true she did this and the majority of the family moved with them. The character Brenda Kay did not go by that name she was just Brenda and Kay is actually a granddaughter of the main character. Can't remember if they show it in the movie or not but within seconds of meeting Brenda she would tell you you were fat even if you were not. It was almost like her term of affection. The character Raylene (also not her real name) in the movie tries to kill herself. The actual person never attempted suicide and her name was not used because she would not sign the release after reading that.It is a very touching story to see what she sacrificed for her daughter at the time and continued to all for Brenda throughout her life.

Farrah in the winner's circle

[liza11 · 26 February 2001]

Once again, Farrah Fawcett rises above typical television sentimentality and gives a strong performance as a mother facing the hardship of raising a child with Downs Syndrome. Fawcett deserves an Emmy nomination for her potrayal of a woman who gains strength through adversity, and who is the anchor of a family beset by emotional duress and dysfunction. Farrah, both strong and soft, hard and sensitive, continues to grow as an actress. Hopefully, she will be provided even better scripts and direction in the future. Fawcett's turns in The Burning Bed, Small Sacrifices, Dr. T and the Women, and Extremities have shown us that she outgrew her Charlie's Angels image years ago, and that she's long overdue for the really juicy roles.