''Suddenly'' is a 1996 American

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

starring Kirstie Alley and

Jason Beghe Jason Deneen Beghe (; born March 12, 1960) is an American actor. Since 2014, he has starred in the NBC TV series '' Chicago P.D.'' as sergeant Hank Voight. He is also known for starring in the 1988 George A. Romero film '' Monkey Shines'', play ...

. Directed by

Robert Allan Ackerman Robert Allan Ackerman (June 30, 1944 – January 10, 2022) was an American film and theatre director. He directed numerous films since 1992. Ackerman was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1944 and moved to Kew Gardens, Queens, when he wa ...

and written by David Kinghorn and Marilyn Kinghorn, it was first aired on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

on December 1, 1996. It deals with some of the issues faced by paraplegic wheelchair users.

Jason Bernard Jason Bernard (born Ronald Carl Johnson, May 17, 1938 – October 16, 1996) was an American actor. Life and career Bernard was born in Chicago, Illinois. His first starring role was in the pilot episode of the television series '' The White ...

appears posthumously in the film.

Plot

Marty Doyle is a hard-working waitress in San Pedro, Los Angeles. Despite her

wisecrack Wit is a form of intelligent humour, the ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny. Someone witty is a person who is skilled at making clever and funny remarks. Forms of wit include the quip, repartee, and wisecrack. Form ...

ing and positive demeanor, she feels her life is pretty empty, with only one plus point; a new relationship. One day, her life is turned upside down when she is knocked down by a car. In that instant, Marty loses the use of her legs and her sense of

self-worth Self-esteem is confidence in one's own worth or abilities. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself (for example, "I am loved", "I am worthy") as well as emotional states, such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame. Smith and Mackie (2007) d ...

, and, soon after, she loses her boyfriend. Though she attempts to get on with life, her efforts are dealt a massive blow when she is

mugged Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take anything of value by force, threat of force, or by use of fear. According to common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the perso ...

. Feeling utterly despondent and depressed, Marty starts to feel sorry for herself and turns to alcohol. Just when she’s at her lowest, she meets and befriends Joe Mulvey, a fellow paraplegic, who helps her cope with her new way of life.

Cast

* Kirstie Alley as Marty Doyle *

as Joe Mulvey *

Colleen Camp Colleen Celeste Camp (born June 7, 1953) is an American character actress and producer. After appearing in several bit parts, she had a lead role in the comedy ''The Swinging Cheerleaders'' (1974), followed by roles in two installments of the '' ...

as Jude *

Nancy Cartwright Nancy Cartwright (born October 25, 1957) is an American actress. She is the long-time voice of Bart Simpson on the animated television series ''The Simpsons'', for which she has received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Perform ...

as Dell *

David Crosby David Van Cortlandt Crosby (born August 14, 1941) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Crosby joined the Byrds in 1964. They got ...

as Eddie *

David Beecroft David Beecroft (born April 26, 1955) is an American actor noted for his television appearances, having played both regular and recurring roles in series such as ''Falcon Crest'' (as Nick Agretti), ''Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'' and ''Melrose Place ...

as Doug *

Michael Paul Chan Michael Paul Chan (born June 26, 1950) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Lieutenant Michael Tao on the TNT series ''The Closer'' and '' Major Crimes''. He also acted in '' U.S. Marshals'', playing an assassin. Biography Ch ...

as Mr. Chow * Anthony Russell as Willie *

as Louie *

Shaun Toub Shaun Toub ( fa, شان توب ; ; born February 15, 1958) is an Iranian-born American actor. He has played the character Yinsen in '' Iron Man'' (2008) and ''Iron Man 3'' (2013); Farhad in ''Crash'' (2004); Rahim Khan in ''The Kite Runner'' (2 ...

as Mr. Tabibisdan * W. W. Wilson as Cabbie Paulie * Alice Lo as Mrs. Chow *

Charles Noland Charles Noland is an American actor, appearing in many TV shows and films, including '' Blow'' and '' Wayne's World''. He was a supporting character on ''ER'' for 2 seasons and ''The West Wing'' for 7 seasons. Noland also has a lengthy stage ca ...

as Cabbie Mike *

Manny Perry Manny Perry is an American stunt coordinator and stuntman. He has performed in dozens of films including ''Armageddon'', ''Con Air'', and '' The Mighty Ducks''. He played the role of Big Jim Slade in '' Kentucky Fried Movie''. He has also had act ...

as Bus Driver *

Don Keith Opper Don Keith Opper (born June 12, 1949) is an American actor, writer, and producer who has starred in film and on television. He is best known for his role as Charlie McFadden in the 1986 science fiction film '' Critters'' and each of the three se ...

as Barney

Production

The film was previously titled ''An Urban Legend'' and ''When Somebody Loves You''. Filming took place in San Pedro, Los Angeles.

References

External links

* {{Robert Allan Ackerman 1996 films 1996 drama films 1990s American films 1990s English-language films ABC network original films American drama television films Films about paraplegics or quadriplegics Films about road accidents and incidents Films directed by Robert Allan Ackerman Films scored by David Mansfield Films set in Los Angeles Films shot in Los Angeles Rysher Entertainment films