For many people, the holidays are a time to have a good, old-fashioned cry over select seasonal movies. We know you have your favorites, and we respect those, of course, and will probably be indulging in them ourselves. But you’ve got to watch this 1990 telefilm, because you’ve probably never heard of it and, yes, it’s that good.
“Always Remember That I Love You” tells the story of a teenage boy (Stephen Dorff) who discovers at Christmastime that not only was he adopted but he was stolen from his birth parents (Patty Duke and Richard Masur). (His adoptive parents, played by Joan Van Ark and David Birney, did not know about the kidnapping when they adopted him.)
Stunned by the revelations, he sets off to find his birth parents, befriending first his biological brother and then the rest of the family without ever telling them who he really is. Duke, one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, is just tremendous in this, and she’s matched by Dorff, who should’ve had a bigger career. The moment of truth at the end will leave you shattered. (I could weep just writing this.)
Here’s the complete film — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2M9sh8l4d8 — and you’re welcome.
– Georgette Gouveia
