Consenting Adult (film)
| Consenting Adult | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on |
Consenting Adult by Laura Z. Hobson |
| Screenplay by | John McGreevey |
| Directed by | Gilbert Cates |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Laurence Rosenthal |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Martin Starger |
| Producer(s) |
Ray Aghayan David Lawrence Dennis E. Doty (supervising producer) Edward D. Markley (associate producer) |
| Cinematography | Frank Stanley |
| Editor(s) | Melvin Shapiro |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
The Starger Company David Lawrence and Ray Aghayan Productions |
| Distributor | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | February 4, 1985 |
Consenting Adult is a 1985 television film directed by Gilbert Cates, and starring Marlo Thomas and Martin Sheen as parents who must come to terms with their teenage son's coming out. The film is based on the 1975 novel of the same name written by Laura Z. Hobson (Gentleman's Agreement).
Tess (Thomas) and Ken Lynd (Sheen) have been together for 26 years and share two children, oldest daughter Tess (Talia Balsam) – who is married to Nate (Matthew Laurance) and recently found out that she is pregnant – and youngest son Jeff (Barry Tubb), who is off for college and heads the university's swim team. Jeff has had a strained relationship with his parents ever since having constantly argued with his father over trivial matters since last summer. One day, Tess receives a letter from her son asking to contact him because he wants to tell her something he cannot put off any longer. They meet in his university town, where Jeff tells her that he is homosexual. While Tess applauds his bravery, she has trouble processing the news, and the next day contacts her doctor (Ben Piazza) to inform about any counseling possibilities to "show Jeff that he is mistaken". She contacts psychiatrist Dr. Daniels (Thomas Peacocke) in Seattle who shares her views regarding homosexuality being an illness, who tells her that 25% of his patients have turned to heterosexuality after sessions with him. Afterwards, she informs Ken about their son's situation; he bursts out in tears.
During a session with the psychiatrist, Jeff reveals that he has been struggling with his sexual orientation for over seven years now. Dissatisfied with the sessions, he returns home to see his family, but Ken is not ready to see him and avoids him. Jeff goes to dinner with his mom to discuss his homosexuality. He tells her that he has tried being with girls but does not feel anything romantic, unlike with a guy on his swim team. Later that night, Tess blasts Ken for avoiding Jeff, but Ken tells her that he simply cannot agree with his son's lifestyle, criticizing liberalism and calling homosexuality 'unnatural'. Soon, Jeff starts to realize that his father does not want to see him and angrily leaves. While on his way back to his college, he meets Hank (Jeff Irvine) in a diner, who flirts with him. Hank offers him a drive and Jeff nervously accepts. Hank tries to make a move; Jeff – ridden with guilt – initially refuses, but eventually gives in.
Jeff returns home for Christmas, and tries to be romantic with his neighbor Sue (Moira Walley), but quickly realizes that he has no interest in her. He then tells his parents that he has stopped treatment with Dr. Daniels, as he does not believe that his sexual orientation is a disease. During their confrontation, Jeff criticizes his parents for trying to remain in the closet and reveals that he has been sexually involved with men. Ken reaches his boiling point and cuts Jeff off financially. Somewhat later, Jeff witnesses gay bashing in a diner and raises his voice, after which he comes out of the closet to his roommate and best friend Pete (John Terlesky). Pete calls Jeff out for deceiving him, as well as making several homophobic remarks, prompting Jeff to move out and move in with his new boyfriend Stu (Joseph Adams).
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