Darkness Before Dawn (1993)

Darkness Before Dawn is a story of love, determination and, ultimately, survival. It is the story of a woman trapped in a private hell – with only the man she loves to save her. Mary Ann Thompson (Meredith Baxter, Family Ties, A Passion For Innocence) is a nurse at a methadone clinic, who’s haunted by a troubled past. She escapes from her sad childhood memories under the veil of drug addiction. The deception is so successful that no one suspects her of being a junkie. When Mary Ann falls for one of her patients, Guy Grand (Stephen Lang, Manhunter, Last Exit to Brooklyn), her problems begin to escalate. She inspires him to kick his heroin habit, while hiding her own addiction. The two soon marry and are determined to live a clean life. But, when their baby is born addicted to heroin, Mary Ann’s worst nightmare becomes a reality. DVD extras include: About the Film, About the Stars, Interactive Menus, Scene Selections

Meredith Baxter Shines

Meredith Baxter is one of the best dramatic television actresses ever to be on tv. She showed this beginning with her portrayal of Nancy on the highly acclaimded series FAMILY. Many know her for her turn as mom on FAMILY TIES but this show, though great, was a waste of her capabilities. This television movie DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN is an excellent example of what she is capable of.

This is not your typical television movie fare. This is a movie about addiction, how it can encompass and destroy your life and how hard recovery can be. It starts innocently enough. Meredith plays Mary Anne a nurse at a methodone clinic and after much persistence by one of the patients Guy (Stephen Lang) she goes on a date with him. He appears to have it together and seems to have some sobriety under his belt. They become a couple and eventually Mary Anne decides to experimemt and is also asked by Guy to steal drugs from the clinic. How this progression happens is very realistically shown.

Further plot line is unnecessary and would ruin the impact of this film for the viewer. Asddiction is a very serious illness and there are so many movies that merely use the subject for over the top drama. This film is so well researched and the process of getting to the point of addict, all an addict will do to get their fix and how their morals/ personality changes is expertly told. The danger of addiction is not lost in any way as the drama unfolds. The film gets very intense and with the high quality acting it has it is as if you are watching a documentary about addicts - they are so believable.

Meredith Baxter becomes Mary Anne here so fully it is a definite Emmy worthy performance. Stephen Lang is also superb. But my highest accolades go to those behind the camera for the crafting of a film that rises above that of a typical television melodrama and insteads gives us a hardcore, intense realistically based story on the seriousness of addiction that is much needed today.

This is one of the best televison movies you will ever see and Meredith Baxter will take you on a journey you will never forget. October 18, 2008

Darkness Before Dawn (True Stories Collection)

I cannot rate this movie. I never viewed it and I never purchased it. April 14, 2007

SHOULD A WAKE UP CALL !

THIS MOVIE SHOULD A WAKE UP CALL TO THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY. BUT FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THIS MOVIE ARE A AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THIS LIVE TO TELL THERE TALES.THERE IS A HUGE DRUG PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY. January 10, 2007

a great movie

this movie based on heroin addicts. ive never been into drugs.i think this movie could help people, i have had some childhood problems like maryann had . all in all ita a great true story about real people. July 4, 2006

Darkness Before Dawn

This is a movie about a nurse who meets a patient at rehab where she works, and decides to go out with him and well things just go down hill from there. He is unstable and can't find a job. Moves in with her and becomes untrustworthy. She's not the "all too clean" nurse that we'd all like to think, that's she's protraying to be-including to her new post rehab boyfriend. Good ol Meredith Baxter she always plays those "crazy" parts so well!!
Good value! April 2, 2006

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