‘Sisters’ Depends On Supernatural Touch
In CBS’ “Sisters and Other Strangers” at 9, Joanna Kerns (“Growing Pains”) plays a hard-working businesswoman accused of murdering her free-spirited sister (Debrah Farentino).
This is a movie that tries to show how blood ties can become so muddled that you can miss the most obvious things going on around you. The film also conveys the message that there are spiritual ties that transcend family feuds.
Gail Connor (Kerns) had a fight with her sister Renee (Farentino) the night before Renee apparently committed suicide. Police, however, suspect foul play, and the two sisters’ dispute over selling a valuable piece of family property provides a motive.
When physical evidence points to Gail, she becomes the investigation’s top suspect.
Pay close attention, because there are more twists and turns in this TV movie than I have time to explain.
It turns out it’s not the land that’s valuable. Renee’s lawyer (Steven Bauer) isn’t who you think he his. And, Renee was not as out of control as anyone thought.
The gimmick that drives this drama is that Gail is constantly visited by her dead sister. Farentino is a pleasure to watch, up to a point.
Midway through the tale it all begins to break down. The ghostly appearances are just a way of advancing what would otherwise be a convoluted, talky and uninspired potboiler.
Kerns, however, shows considerable skill in portraying a woman who eventually sees that the goals she has set turn out to offer very little satisfaction. That she redeems herself in the end is the best part of the movie.
Highlights
“Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993), FOX at 8: Robin Williams hits a home run as a divorced father so desperate to see his kids he assumes the identity of an older woman and gets hired as the kids’ nanny. Zany and warm, it works on every level as pure feel-good fare.
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 8:30: Geoff Pierson continues his fine work as Grace’s sincere ex-husband. He’s fighting the sting of seeing his kids bond with Grace’s new boyfriend (Mark Tymchyshyn).
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: Niles (David Hyde Pierce) gets weak in the knees when Daphne (Jane Leeves) arrives at his doorstep, asking to spend the night after a fight with Sherry (Marsha Mason).
Will seasons of sexual frustration end for Niles? Don’t count on it.
Despite some hilarious moments, the half-hour ends on a flat note.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Jill (Patricia Richardson) steps in when Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan) treats his fawning girlfriend (Kristin Clayton) like his personal slave.
Parents’ Pick
“Rugrats,” NIK at 8: A special edition of the clever kids comedy highlights Mother’s Day. Chuckie is left out of the fun as Anjelica, Tommy, Phil and Lil all head off in search of gifts for their moms.
After Chuckie seeks solace in Spike the dog, it falls on his single-father dad to make him feel whole. The poignant half-hour is a winner.
Cable Calls
“Moms of a Lifetime,” LIFE at 8: Jane Fonda hosts this special profiling five mothers who show courage and devotion to their children.
“Yesterday and Today: The Class of ‘89,” TNN at 5: The hour pays homage to the phenomenal crop of artists who launched careers in 1989: Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt and Vince Gill.
“Six Months to Live: Alternative Medicine and the Fight for Life,” HBO at 10: Four people diagnosed with terminal cancer turn from traditional medicine - chemotherapy and radiation - to other sources of treatment. This is a hot topic, and this 90-minute-long America Undercover segment, produced and directed by Maryann DeLeo (“High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell”), is an intimate, if not all-encompassing, look at different ways people search for new hope.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actors Robin Williams and Billy Crystal.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: John Goodman (“Roseanne”), actress Kathleen Quinlan and music group Hanson.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: Jeff Foxworthy and Letitia Baldridge.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Michele Lee.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Musical guest Black Street.