Tuesdays with Morrie (film)
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''Tuesdays with Morrie'' is a 1999 American
made-for-television 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 ...
film adaptation A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dial ...
of
Mitch Albom Mitchell David Albom (born May 23, 1958) is an American author, journalist, and musician. His books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Having achieved national recognition for sports writing in his early career, he turned to writing the ...
's book of the same title. Directed by Mick Jackson, it features
Jack Lemmon John Uhler Lemmon III (February 8, 1925 – June 27, 2001) was an American actor. Considered equally proficient in both dramatic and comic roles, Lemmon was known for his anxious, middle-class everyman screen persona in dramedy pictures, leadin ...
in a role for which he won an Emmy award. The film originally 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 5, 1999.


Plot

In 1995,
Mitch Albom Mitchell David Albom (born May 23, 1958) is an American author, journalist, and musician. His books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Having achieved national recognition for sports writing in his early career, he turned to writing the ...
(
Hank Azaria Henry Albert Azaria ( ; born April 25, 1964) is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for voicing many characters in the animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'' (1989–present), most notably Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Sna ...
) became caught up with his career as a sport commentator and journalist. His girlfriend, Janine (
Wendy Moniz Wendy Moniz (born January 19, 1969) is an American television actress. Her roles include Dinah Marler in the CBS soap opera ''Guiding Light'', as Rachel McCabe in ''Nash Bridges'', and as Louisa Archer in ''The Guardian''. From 2013 to 2014, Moni ...
), a backup singer feels that he never places her as a priority. Mitch is consistently doing six things at once. One evening, while on the telephone with Janine, Mitch flips through TV channels and lands on an edition of ''
Nightline ''Nightline'' (or ''ABC News Nightline'') is ABC News' late-night television news program broadcast on ABC in the United States with a franchised formula to other networks and stations elsewhere in the world. Created by Roone Arledge, the progra ...
'' where he sees his former professor
Morrie Schwartz Morris S. "Morrie" Schwartz (December 20, 1916 – November 4, 1995)Jack Lemmon John Uhler Lemmon III (February 8, 1925 – June 27, 2001) was an American actor. Considered equally proficient in both dramatic and comic roles, Lemmon was known for his anxious, middle-class everyman screen persona in dramedy pictures, leadin ...
) being interviewed by
Ted Koppel Edward James Martin Koppel (born February 8, 1940) is a British-born American broadcast journalist, best known as the anchor for '' Nightline'', from the program's inception in 1980 until 2005. Before ''Nightline'', he spent 20 years as a broad ...
. Morrie discusses his current health and lets everyone know he is dying of
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most comm ...
, often referred to as "
Lou Gehrig's disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most com ...
" or
ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most com ...
. Morrie, a retired
sociology Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of Interpersonal ties, social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of Empirical ...
professor from
Brandeis University , mottoeng = "Truth even unto its innermost parts" , established = , type = Private research university , accreditation = NECHE , president = Ronald D. Liebowitz , pro ...
, comes on the show to describe his final journey. As life goes on with work and balancing his relationship with Janine, Mitch feels bothered he never got a chance to visit his old professor. Feeling so moved by the interview, Mitch reaches out for a visit with Morrie after sixteen years of no contact. Morrie has an affinity with food and it becomes a regular endeavor with his visits with Mitch. Office hours during university were on Tuesdays, Morrie would grade papers and critique student’s assignments, Mitch now makes it a habit to visit him every Tuesday. Connie (
Caroline Aaron Caroline Sidney Aaron (née Abady; born ) is an American actress. She is known for her performances in films like Mike Nichols' ''Heartburn'' (1986) and ''Primary Colors'' (1998), as well as Woody Allen's '' Crimes and Misdemeanors'' (1989), ' ...
), Morrie’s home nurse, is his primary care taker. After leaving Morrie, Mitch continues working and can’t find a groove with Janine. Mitch returns and witnesses a “living funeral” where friends and family come to honor Morrie while he is still alive, per Morrie’s request. As the two get reacquainted, they participate in several thoughtful and reflective conversations about various substantial topics. Morrie divulges in many stories on his time as a young boy and how his relationships unfolded between his mother, stepmother, and father. Back home Mitch continues with his impressive and busy
journalism Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation (profes ...
career, and while out on a story he receives a call from Janine breaking up with him. Another visit prompts Mitch to officially bring a recording device to capture all of Morrie’s powerful pieces of advice and all his anecdotes. Morrie and Mitch grow closer and closer with each visit, some significant topics that were explored were death, love, marriage, family, and relationships. The time spent with Morrie starts to affect Mitch’s position at work, he argues with his boss and decides to prioritize his visits with Morrie. Mitch, being so immersed in this new world asks Connie to teach him a few skills to aid Morrie when no one else is around. New tasks Mitch learns include: helping Morrie in and out of his
wheelchair A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, used when walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, problems related to old age, or disability. These can include spinal cord injuries ( paraplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia), cerebr ...
, using his oxygen tank, feeding Morrie, and even special
massage Massage is the manipulation of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pain. In Eu ...
s. Finding value and meaning in Morrie’s advice, Mitch proposes to Janine via letter. She rejects him and comes along on one of his visits to Morrie’s home. Janine notices a change in Mitch’s personality in the way he knows what to do around Morrie from the oxygen tank assistance to cleaning Morrie’s crying eyes. Janine and Morrie speak without Mitch in the room. Later, on an airplane on their way home Mitch and Janine make up and decide a proper proposal should take place. On a rainy visit, Mitch brings Morrie food, but learns he has not been able to eat solid foods for some time. Charlotte (
Bonnie Bartlett Bonnie Bartlett (born June 20, 1929) is an American actress. Her career spans seven decades, with her first major role being on a 1950s daytime drama, ''Love of Life''. Bartlett is known for her role as Grace Snider Edwards on the Michael Lando ...
), Morrie’s wife advises Mitch that his visits have a great impact on Morrie. Mitch notices how the illness is progressing in a devastating way. They continue to go back and forth on difficult topics, regret, spiritual life, forgiveness, and love. Morrie reiterates that we all, as humans, must love one another or die. He recounts the story of his father’s death. Mitch receives a call from Walter (
John Carroll Lynch John Carroll Lynch (born August 1, 1963) is an American character actor and film director. He first gained notice for his role as Norm Gunderson in '' Fargo'' (1996). He is also known for his television work on the ABC sitcom ''The Drew Carey Show ...
), his boss, and they find middle ground to allow Mitch to write again. Mitch takes Janine to the islands and proposes to her there. Once back home, Mitch requests to have all of his Tuesdays off to continue his visits with Morrie. On a snowy visit, Mitch asks Morrie what a perfect day would be like. Morrie gives a simple answer with friends, family, food, dancing, and choosing his burial site. Morrie asks Mitch to visit once he has passed, breaking his heart. Mitch cries and hugs his old friend. Mitch promises to come back next
Tuesday Tuesday is the day of the week between Monday and Wednesday. According to international standard ISO 8601, Monday is the first day of the week; thus, Tuesday is the second day of the week. According to some commonly used calendars, however, ...
. Morrie dies Saturday morning, Janine and Mitch receive a call. Charlotte keeps his
funeral A funeral is a ceremony connected with the final disposition of a corpse, such as a burial or cremation, with the attendant observances. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember and respect th ...
small, and all the people in his perfect day are included. The funeral is held on a Tuesday.


Cast and characters

*
Jack Lemmon John Uhler Lemmon III (February 8, 1925 – June 27, 2001) was an American actor. Considered equally proficient in both dramatic and comic roles, Lemmon was known for his anxious, middle-class everyman screen persona in dramedy pictures, leadin ...
Morrie Schwartz Morris S. "Morrie" Schwartz (December 20, 1916 – November 4, 1995)Hank Azaria Henry Albert Azaria ( ; born April 25, 1964) is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for voicing many characters in the animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'' (1989–present), most notably Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Sna ...
Mitch Albom Mitchell David Albom (born May 23, 1958) is an American author, journalist, and musician. His books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Having achieved national recognition for sports writing in his early career, he turned to writing the ...
*
Wendy Moniz Wendy Moniz (born January 19, 1969) is an American television actress. Her roles include Dinah Marler in the CBS soap opera ''Guiding Light'', as Rachel McCabe in ''Nash Bridges'', and as Louisa Archer in ''The Guardian''. From 2013 to 2014, Moni ...
– Janine, Mitch's girlfriend *
Caroline Aaron Caroline Sidney Aaron (née Abady; born ) is an American actress. She is known for her performances in films like Mike Nichols' ''Heartburn'' (1986) and ''Primary Colors'' (1998), as well as Woody Allen's '' Crimes and Misdemeanors'' (1989), ' ...
– Connie, Morrie's home nurse *
Bonnie Bartlett Bonnie Bartlett (born June 20, 1929) is an American actress. Her career spans seven decades, with her first major role being on a 1950s daytime drama, ''Love of Life''. Bartlett is known for her role as Grace Snider Edwards on the Michael Lando ...
– Charlotte Schwartz, Morrie's wife *
Aaron Lustig Aaron Lustig (born September 17, 1956) is an American film and television actor. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1997, for Best Supporting Actor on ''The Young and the Restless'' as Tim Reid, whom he has also portrayed on ''The Bold and the ...
– Rabbi Al Axelrod * Bruce Nozick – Mr. Schwartz * Ivo Cutzarida – Armand *
John Carroll Lynch John Carroll Lynch (born August 1, 1963) is an American character actor and film director. He first gained notice for his role as Norm Gunderson in '' Fargo'' (1996). He is also known for his television work on the ABC sitcom ''The Drew Carey Show ...
– Walter Moran, Mitch's boss from the sports column *
Kyle Sullivan Kyle Russell Sullivan (born September 24, 1988) is an American former actor, known for appearing on the TV series ''All That'' and the Fox sitcom '' The War at Home''. Sullivan was born in Los Angeles, California. He played the recurring char ...
– Young Morrie * Dan Thiel – Shawn Daley * Christian Meoli – Aldo *
John Billingsley John Billingsley (, born May 20, 1960) is an American actor best known for his role as Doctor Phlox on the television series ''Star Trek: Enterprise''. Early life and education Billingsley was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and subsequently live ...
– Sports Fan #1


Reception

The review aggregator
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
give it a 71% rating based on 7 reviews. Fred Topel from About.com says, "Movie of the week with film caliber performances". Common Sense Media Editors states, "Oprah Winfrey presents a three-hanky weepfest".


Ratings

The film brought in a 15.2/22 rating/share, and was watched by 22.5 million viewers, ranking as the most watched program that week.


Awards and nominations


Notes


References


External links

* *
''Tuesdays with Morrie''
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slanting-n
{{Mick Jackson 1990s biographical drama films 1999 drama films 1999 films 1999 television films American biographical drama films American television films Films based on non-fiction books Films based on works by Mitch Albom Films directed by Mick Jackson Films scored by Marco Beltrami Films set in the 20th century Harpo Productions films Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie winners Television films based on books 1990s English-language films 1990s American films