Two Against Time

For Julie Portman (Marlo Thomas, TV's "That Girl"), the past few years have not been easy. Her divorce has left her with the sole responsibility of providing for her teenage children. And, as she scrambles to find the college tuition for her son Michael (Troy Hall), her daughter Emma (Ellen Muth, TV's "Dead Like Me") becomes ever more difficult in her adolescence. While she strives to be a good mother, her irresponsible ex-husband, Robert (Peter Friedman), has lost another job and can no longer offer any support. Julie's dark clouds always have silver linings, however, as when a flirtatious relationship with her friend, George Tomich (Joe Penny), tentatively begins to develop into a real romance. But Julie and Emma are forced to face new challenges when both are diagnosed with cancer, and they must now fight not against one another, but together against their respective illnesses. David Anspaugh (Hoosiers, Rudy) directs this difficult subject matter with extraordinary sensitivity, resulting in excellent performances from the talented cast. Teleplay by Casey Kurtti and Peter Nelson, from a story by Casey Kurtti. Newly remastered.