''Suddenly'' is a 1996 American

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

television film 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 ...

starring

Kirstie Alley Kirstie Louise Alley (January 12, 1951 – December 5, 2022) was an American actress. Her breakthrough role was as Rebecca Howe in the NBC sitcom ''Cheers'' (1987–1993), for which she received an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991. From 1 ...

and Jason Beghe. Directed by Robert Allan Ackerman and written by David Kinghorn and Marilyn Kinghorn, it was first aired on ABC on December 1, 1996. It deals with some of the issues faced by

paraplegic Paraplegia, or paraparesis, is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. The word comes from Ionic Greek () "half-stricken". It is usually caused by spinal cord injury or a congenital condition that affects the neura ...

wheelchair users. Jason Bernard appears posthumously in the film.

Plot

Marty Doyle is a hard-working waitress in

San Pedro, Los Angeles San Pedro ( ; ) is a neighborhood located within the South Bay (Los Angeles County), South Bay and Los Angeles Harbor Region, Harbor region of the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. Formerly a separate city, it consolidated with Los ...

. Despite her wisecracking 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, abilities, or morals. 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 ...

, 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. 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

as Marty Doyle * Jason Beghe 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 Jean Cartwright (born October 25, 1957) is an American actress, best known as the long-time voice of Bart Simpson on ''The Simpsons'', for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance and an Annie Award f ...

as Dell *

David Crosby David Van Cortlandt Crosby (August 14, 1941 – January 18, 2023) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He first found fame as a member of the Byrds, with whom he helped pioneer the genres of folk rock and psychedelic music, psych ...

as Eddie *

David Beecroft David Beecroft 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''. Early life and e ...

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 Turner Network Television, TNT series ''The Closer'' and ''Major Crimes (TV series), Major Crimes''. Chan also acted in ''U. ...

as Mr. Chow *

Persia White Persia White (born October 25, 1972) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Lynn Searcy on the UPN/ CW sitcom '' Girlfriends''. She is also known for her role as Abby Bennett Wilson in '' The Vampire Diaries'' (2012–2017). ...

as Trina * Anthony Russell as Willie * Jason Bernard as Louie *

Shaun Toub Shaun Toub (born February 15, 1958) is an 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'' (2007); Majid Javadi in the Showtime ...

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

as Bus Driver * Don Keith Opper as Barney

Production

The film was previously titled ''An Urban Legend'' and ''When Somebody Loves You''. Filming took place in

References

External links

* {{Robert Allan Ackerman 1996 television films 1996 films 1996 drama films 1996 in American television 1990s American films 1990s English-language films American Broadcasting Company original films American drama television films English-language drama films Films about people with paraplegia or tetraplegia 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