Pretty Good

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The acting in this movie is really good.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

After having watched a pleasant, happy film prior to this one -- on a quiet Sunday morning -- at first I thought this one might be all right. Patty Duke and William Devane are credible actors, if not "A" or "high-B" list, and I've seen them both in good presentations.However, not in this "turkey." I didn't watch it in entirety, but couldn't help switching back a few times, and missed nothing affecting the understanding of the plot or the performances in doing so.Whereas the previous film had contained a cast of likable characters and performances, and even those who were there to provide some less-pleasant aspects to the proceedings weren't over-the-top -- this flick was the complete opposite.There's about as much depth to these characters and the family central to the story as a rain puddle.Not a single one could be termed likable or sympathetic. The only differences might be the very slight degree as to which the various individuals are less likable than the others. (The "son" comes closest to likability, but he still misses the mark by a good distance.)The parents' obsession to have this dysfunctional lot proceed, en masse, via their private plane, to celebrate their anniversary is both inane and (given the fore-mentioned dysfunction) absolutely ludicrous..The daughter who missed the flight due to her being delayed en route to the airfield (they had to leave her behind due to impending bad weather) who interacts with rescuers, may have been the most obnoxious of this crew.Finally, their conduct at the crash site had its silly aspects as well, as pointed-out in other comments. And the supporting cast and their performance did nothing to improve the quality of this opus.

If I were to crash my plane on a snow covered mountain, the last thing I would do is leave a nearly perfectly good aircraft and sleep outside in the snow. The acting was decent particularly from Patty Duke and especially the history teacher, but some of the dialogue was embarrasing. I often gauge TV disaster movies with how many times I roll my eyes. This one gets five out of five eye rolls. Its not plausible that those in charge of the search would be so monumentally rude to the concerned older sister. And its obvious that this isn't a reenactment because people can't be this dumb. To wait until days after the crash to light a signal smoke fire is beyond me. Millions of trees around them and they couldn't make smoke. Pathetic. They had a good idea to go to the top of the mountain to signal but didn't have enough sense to take turns. No more script duties for Elmer Fudd!

The story is not new, this is what may happen if you survive in snowy and cold conditions, but the film has its own morale. The parents should be more flexible with their sons and daughters not trying to impose patterns of behavior because each one wants to have his/her own personality. At then end the family is good and all worry each other. Everyone in disgrace recognizes the talent or the ability of each other from the father up to the younger sister.

Every now and then you watch a movie that exceeds expectations - this is NOT it!In the case of these filler telemovies expectations are rightly low and unfortunately this film does not even reach 'low'.Poor scriptwriting, largely wooden acting, little if any suspense, totally predictable ... what more must I say.If this film appears in your movie guide run, don't walk, to your remote control and ensure you avoid that channel for the obligatory 0- minutes. You won't regret it.