''David'' is a 1988 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...

dramatizing the true story of a child named

David Rothenberg David Rothenberg (born 1962) is a professor of philosophy and music at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, with a special interest in animal sounds as music. He is also a composer and jazz musician whose books and recordings reflect a long ...

who was burned by his father. It co-starred Matthew Lawrence as David, Bernadette Peters as his mother, and John Glover as his father. It aired on ABC.

Plot

The film is based on a book written by Marie Rothenberg and Mel White and relates the true story of David, a child who was burned over 90 percent of his body by his father. The parents were estranged and the non-custodial father, Charles Rothenberg, fled with David in tow to

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, but quickly decided that he could not care for David alone. However, rather than return David to his mother's care, the elder Rothenberg used

kerosene Kerosene, or paraffin, is a combustibility, combustible hydrocarbon liquid which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in Aviation fuel, aviation as well as households. Its name derives from the Greek (''kērós'') meaning " ...

to set fire to his son while the boy slept in a hotel room. The movie shows how his mother, Marie Rothenberg, coped with the crisis, and the courage and determination of David.

Cast

* Bernadette Peters as Marie Rothenberg * John Glover as Charles Rothenberg * Matthew Lawrence as

* Dan Lauria as John Cirillo * George Grizzard as Dr. Achauer Source:

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Responses

In his review, John J. O'Connor wrote: "''David'' can indeed be painful at certain moments but, in the end, its message about going beyond surface appearances comes through admirably."O'Connor, John J. "Review", ''New York Times'', October 25, 1988, p. C22

Awards and nominations

Emmy Awards The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...

:Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special (nominated) :Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special (nominated) :Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special (nominated) * Young Artist Award :Best Family TV Special (nominated) :Best Young Actor in a Special, Pilot, Movie of the Week or Mini-Series-Matthew Lawrence (nominated)

References

External links

* Films directed by John Erman 1988 television films 1988 films American drama television films Films scored by Marvin Hamlisch American films based on actual events Films set in 1983 ABC Motion Pictures films ITC Entertainment films 1980s English-language films English-language drama films {{US-tv-drama-film-stub