Cries from the Heart
| Cries from the Heart | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 'Touch of Truth' |
| Written by | Robert Inman |
| Directed by | Michael Switzer |
| Starring |
Patty Duke Melissa Gilbert Bradley Pierce |
| Music by | James McVay |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Joel S. Rice |
| Producer(s) | Joan Barnett Jack Grossbart |
| Cinematography | Robert Draper |
| Editor(s) | Robert Florio |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Grossbart Barnett Productions |
| Distributor | CBS |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | October 16, 1994 |
Cries from the Heart (also known as Touch of Truth) is a 1994 American made-for-television drama film directed by Michael Switzer and starring Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert, who had co-starred together in three prior films.
Karen Barth (Gilbert) is the divorced mother of Michael (Pierce), a young autistic boy who is unable to speak or write. After an incident in which Michael wanders away from home to the local playground, Karen's ex-husband Roger realizes that Michael may need more specialized care than she can provide, and suggests Michael be enrolled in a special residential school.
Reluctant to do so, Karen nonetheless agrees to visit the campus, where she meets with therapist Terry Wilson (Duke), who explains just how the program will be able to help Michael, which finally convinces Karen to enroll him, although she is put off by the school's requirement that she not visit for 6 weeks. Initially clashing with Terry's approach, Karen grudgingly comes to realize that the separation period is necessary for adjustment and takes a job at a local greenhouse. Meanwhile, Michael begins gradually making progress, learning such basics as tying his shoes, in addition to such chores as making his bed and helping prepare meals in the cottage he shares with his caretaker, Jeff.
Eventually, Terry suggests to Jeff and school head Eliot that they try a form of facilitated communication: having Michael type his thoughts on a computer keyboard, with Terry guiding his hand. Eliot is reluctant, but Jeff is outright dismissive, claiming Michael's "not that bright" and "can't even spell." However, Eliot finally agrees to give Terry a one-month trial period with Michael (and only Michael) to see if it works.
Initially, Michael only types gibberish, but Terry keeps at it, and a breakthrough finally occurs when Karen comes for a visit and, in an emotional moment, he types a greeting of "MOM HI" to her, finally breaking his long silence.
Karen then asks Michael if he knows how much she loves him, to which he types "YES", and then he reveals something she had never known when he types "DAD GONE. I BRAK CAR. MY FALT". Shocked, Karen tells Michael, "No. No, honey, not your fault." Then she tells Terry, "The night that Roger left, Michael got upset that day, and he broke the car window." Karen assures him the car was not the reason for their divorce; instead, she and Roger weren't getting along, and than both she and Roger love Michael.
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