Liar, Liar (1993 film)
Encyclopedia
Liar, Liar is a 1993 Canadian television movie
starring Vanessa King
as a girl who accuses her father (Art Hindle
) of molestation but no one in her family believes her. The film originally aired in January 1993 on CBC Television
in Canada. It aired under the title Liar, Liar: Between Father and Daughter on CBS
on June 22, 1993 in the United States. It was also released under the title Daddy's Little Secret in the United Kingdom.
Though the authorities take action, Kelly's mother Mary (Rosemary Dunsmore
) and sisters Jean "Nini" (Ashleigh Aston Moore
) and Christina "Chrissy" (Janne Mortil) doubt Kelly given her history of lying and bullying. People come to believe that Kelly is lying because her father is known to be strict in his punishments.
Kelly seems not to be telling the whole story and when a newspaper article leaks that the incest victim is still a virgin, she tries to get people to believe her. When older sister Chrissy sees an interaction between her husband and Patrick in the bathroom it opens up repressed memories from her childhood and she believes Kelly. Kelly tells Chrissy that she knew what their dad did to her, and it's revealed that Patrick is afraid of being locked in the bathroom because he too had been molested by their dad.
In court, Chrissy defends her sister by telling the court of her own abuse. The judge apologises to Kelly stating that just because she's a child doesn't make her a liar, and that the judge wants a full investigation into Patrick's and Chrissy's allegations. While Mary and Nini are shocked at the situation, Kelly walks out with Chrissy and Patrick, pleased that she was finally believed.
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
starring Vanessa King
Vanessa King
Vanessa King is an Canadian actress who is best known for her role as Anika in the television series Edgemont.-External links:...
as a girl who accuses her father (Art Hindle
Art Hindle
Arthur Hindle is a Canadian actor and director.Hindle was born in Halifax. His family moved to Toronto while he was a child. Although shy as a youngster, he grew to be a rebellious and independent teenager...
) of molestation but no one in her family believes her. The film originally aired in January 1993 on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
in Canada. It aired under the title Liar, Liar: Between Father and Daughter on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on June 22, 1993 in the United States. It was also released under the title Daddy's Little Secret in the United Kingdom.
Plot
One day at school, 11-year-old Kelly Farrow (Vanessa King)'s classmate tells about a relative who accused a family member of molestation and was sent to jail. Sometime later after being "spanked" by her dad, Kelly vows to make him pay. At school the next day Kelly tells her teacher that her father Gil (Art Hindle) sexually abused her. Kelly speaks with authorities and they arrange to have her father arrested. When her family learns of the accusation they don't believe her, with the exception of her younger brother Patrick.Though the authorities take action, Kelly's mother Mary (Rosemary Dunsmore
Rosemary Dunsmore
Rosemary Dunsmore is a Canadian TV, film and theatre, actress, born in 1953.She has starred in some well known Canadian productions, that include, The Campbells, Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea and Murdoch Mysteries.-External links:...
) and sisters Jean "Nini" (Ashleigh Aston Moore
Ashleigh Aston Moore
Ashleigh Aston Moore was a Canadian child actress, who played Chrissy in the 1995 film Now and Then.-Career:Born Ashley Rogers in Sunnyvale, California, Moore began acting at the age of four...
) and Christina "Chrissy" (Janne Mortil) doubt Kelly given her history of lying and bullying. People come to believe that Kelly is lying because her father is known to be strict in his punishments.
Kelly seems not to be telling the whole story and when a newspaper article leaks that the incest victim is still a virgin, she tries to get people to believe her. When older sister Chrissy sees an interaction between her husband and Patrick in the bathroom it opens up repressed memories from her childhood and she believes Kelly. Kelly tells Chrissy that she knew what their dad did to her, and it's revealed that Patrick is afraid of being locked in the bathroom because he too had been molested by their dad.
In court, Chrissy defends her sister by telling the court of her own abuse. The judge apologises to Kelly stating that just because she's a child doesn't make her a liar, and that the judge wants a full investigation into Patrick's and Chrissy's allegations. While Mary and Nini are shocked at the situation, Kelly walks out with Chrissy and Patrick, pleased that she was finally believed.
Cast
- Art HindleArt HindleArthur Hindle is a Canadian actor and director.Hindle was born in Halifax. His family moved to Toronto while he was a child. Although shy as a youngster, he grew to be a rebellious and independent teenager...
as Gil Farrow - Vanessa KingVanessa KingVanessa King is an Canadian actress who is best known for her role as Anika in the television series Edgemont.-External links:...
as Kelly Farrow - Janne Mortil as Christina "Chrissie" Farrow-Berezuk
- Rosemary Dunsmore as Mary Farrow
- Ashleigh Aston MooreAshleigh Aston MooreAshleigh Aston Moore was a Canadian child actress, who played Chrissy in the 1995 film Now and Then.-Career:Born Ashley Rogers in Sunnyvale, California, Moore began acting at the age of four...
as Jean "Nini" Farrow - Joel Palmer as Patrick Farrow
- Kate NelliganKate NelliganPatricia Colleen "Kate" Nelligan is a Canadian BAFTA award winning stage, film and television actress.-Early life:Nelligan, the fourth of six children, was born in London, Ontario, the daughter of Josephine Alice , a schoolteacher, and Patrick Joseph Nelligan, a factory repairman and municipal...
as Susan Miori - Roman Podhora as Keith Berezuk
- Michelle St. John as Janice
- Wendy Van Reisen as Mrs. Hildebrandt
- Kaj-Erik EriksenKaj-Erik EriksenKaj-Erik Eriksen is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his roles as Danny Farrell in the television series The 4400, Jeremy Peters in the television series Boston Public, and as the son of the main character in the 1990s show The Commish.-Career:Eriksen began his acting career in Vancouver,...
as Jonah - Susan Hogan as Helen Browne
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Gemini Award Gemini Award The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are... |
Nominated | Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series | Nancy Isaak |
| Best TV Movie | Phil Savath | |||
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series | Vanessa King | |||
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series | Art Hindle | |||
| Best Original Music Score for a Program or Mini-Series | Fred Mollin | |||
| Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series | Jorge Montesi |
External links
- Review by Ken Tucker at EW.comEntertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...