While I Was Gone (film)
Encyclopedia
While I Was Gone is a CBS TV movie about a veterinarian
, unhappy in her life and in her marriage to Daniel (Bill Smitrovich
), a local minister. Whilst treating a dog, she learns that the animal belongs to Eli Mayhew (Peter Horton
), a former college friend of hers, and Jo's past as a radical student during the 1960s comes back to life. Her restlessness and discontent increase and Jo wonders if her life could have turned out differently.
One afternoon, a man brings his dog into her veterinary practice to be treated, and Jo recognizes him as Eli (Peter Horton), a former housemate from her bohemian days more than 20 years ago, who is now married and has moved to her small town. Though they were never involved in the past, Eli is still attractive to Jo and when he invites her to lunch at a fancy hotel in Boston, she goes with the intention of sleeping with him. Instead, Eli reveals a secret to Jo that returns her to the darkest moments of her past and threatens to destroy life as she knows it.
as Jo Beckett
Bill Smitrovich
as Daniel Beckett
Janaya Stephens
as Cass Beckett
Peter Horton
as Eli Mayhew
Kim Poirier
as Dana Jablonski
Deborah Odell
as Sylvia
Sandra Caldwell as Betty
Rebecca Benson as Young Jo Beckett
Jeff Topping as Young Eli Mayhew
Ryan Kennedy
as Duncan
Adam Smoluk
as Larry
Tyler Hynes
as Malky McDowell
River Ferreira as Jesus Martinez
Kevin Williams as Byron Hall
Shauna MacDonald
as Detective Geary
Bill Lake
as Sergeant Eberhart
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, unhappy in her life and in her marriage to Daniel (Bill Smitrovich
Bill Smitrovich
-Personal life:Bill Smitrovich was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Anna and Stanley William Zmitrowicz, a tool and die maker. Bill is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport and holds an MFA from Smith College . He is married to Shaw Purnell from Pittsburgh, PA...
), a local minister. Whilst treating a dog, she learns that the animal belongs to Eli Mayhew (Peter Horton
Peter Horton
Peter Horton is an American actor and director. He played the role of Prof. Gary Shepherd on the popular television series Thirtysomething until 1991.-Early life:...
), a former college friend of hers, and Jo's past as a radical student during the 1960s comes back to life. Her restlessness and discontent increase and Jo wonders if her life could have turned out differently.
Story
Jo Beckett (Alley) leads a comfortable life with a successful veterinary practice, a devoted husband, Reverend Daniel Beckett (Bill Smitrovich), and a beautiful home in a lovely small town outside of Boston. Still, she is strangely dissatisfied with her life. One day, while sitting in a boat with her husband, Jo has an out-of-body type experience during which she looks down upon the boat and does not see herself in it. As she describes the feeling to Daniel later that evening, she feels that the experience is some sort of premonition.One afternoon, a man brings his dog into her veterinary practice to be treated, and Jo recognizes him as Eli (Peter Horton), a former housemate from her bohemian days more than 20 years ago, who is now married and has moved to her small town. Though they were never involved in the past, Eli is still attractive to Jo and when he invites her to lunch at a fancy hotel in Boston, she goes with the intention of sleeping with him. Instead, Eli reveals a secret to Jo that returns her to the darkest moments of her past and threatens to destroy life as she knows it.
Cast
Kirstie AlleyKirstie Alley
Kirstie Louise Alley is an American actress known for her role in the TV show Cheers, in which she played Rebecca Howe from 1987–1993, winning an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award as the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991...
as Jo Beckett
Bill Smitrovich
Bill Smitrovich
-Personal life:Bill Smitrovich was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Anna and Stanley William Zmitrowicz, a tool and die maker. Bill is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport and holds an MFA from Smith College . He is married to Shaw Purnell from Pittsburgh, PA...
as Daniel Beckett
Janaya Stephens
Janaya Stephens
Janaya Stephens is a Canadian film actress prominently featured in the Left Behind series of films as Chloe Steele. She is currently on the TV series Flashpoint, playing the character Sophie Lane....
as Cass Beckett
Peter Horton
Peter Horton
Peter Horton is an American actor and director. He played the role of Prof. Gary Shepherd on the popular television series Thirtysomething until 1991.-Early life:...
as Eli Mayhew
Kim Poirier
Kim Poirier
Kim Poirier is a Canadian actress, singer, film producer, and television host.-Personal life:Kim Jacinthe Poirier was born in Drummondville, Quebec, the daughter of actress/model Carol Laquerre who was Miss Toronto in 1976, she has one sister. She enjoys watching movies, writing, meditating,...
as Dana Jablonski
Deborah Odell
Deborah Odell
Deborah Odell is a Canadian actress who has appeared in various films and television series, including Godsend with Robert De Niro and the premiere episode of the SciFi Channel series the Dresden Files.-External links:*...
as Sylvia
Sandra Caldwell as Betty
Rebecca Benson as Young Jo Beckett
Jeff Topping as Young Eli Mayhew
Ryan Kennedy
Ryan Kennedy
Ryan Kennedy is an Canadian actor. He is best known for his role "Travis Hollier" in the 2006 TV series Whistler and "Jake Harrow" in The CW 2010 TV series Hellcats.-Personal life:...
as Duncan
Adam Smoluk
Adam Smoluk
Adam Smoluk is a Canadian screenwriter, director and actor. His work often explores themes of alienation and isolation. He has cited Jim Thompson, James M...
as Larry
Tyler Hynes
Tyler Hynes
Tyler Jeffery Hynes is a Canadian actor and film maker.Hynes was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up on a ranch in Russell Ontario. He currently spends his time between home as well as Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and stays part of the year in L.A. He went to elementary school at Mother...
as Malky McDowell
River Ferreira as Jesus Martinez
Kevin Williams as Byron Hall
Shauna MacDonald
Shauna MacDonald
Shauna MacDonald is a Canadian television and film actress and radio announcer.-Life and career:MacDonald was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She graduated from Dr...
as Detective Geary
Bill Lake
Bill Lake
Bill Lake is a Canadian actor whose career began in Vancouver and who has appeared in many movies, television movies and series, stage plays and commercials....
as Sergeant Eberhart