A Special Friendship Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 14, 2026
Movie Overview: A Special Friendship
| Movie | A Special Friendship |
| Release Year | 1987 |
| Director | Fielder Cook |
| Genre | TV Movie / Drama |
| Runtime | 95 minutes (1h 35m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is A Special Friendship (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 9.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this TV Movie.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in A Special Friendship are led by Tracy Pollan . The supporting cast, including Akosua Busia and Tom Aldredge , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
A Special Friendship stands out as a strong entry in the TV Movie genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured TV Movie narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, A Special Friendship has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the TV Movie fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: A Special Friendship
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, A Special Friendship is a TV Movie, Drama film directed by Fielder Cook, written by Kenneth Cavander. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tracy Pollan as Elizabeth Van Lew.
Ending Explained: A Special Friendship
A Special Friendship Ending Explained: During the American Civil War, two women, a wealthy white woman and a freed black slave, join forces to fight for freedom and the abolition of slavery. Directed by Fielder Cook, this 1987 tv movie film stars Tracy Pollan (Elizabeth Van Lew), alongside Akosua Busia as Mary Bowser, Tom Aldredge as Jefferson Davis, Richard Brooks as Matt Bowser. With a 9/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of A Special Friendship?
During the American Civil War, two women, a wealthy white woman and a freed black slave, join forces to fight for freedom and the abolition of slavery.
How Does Tracy Pollan (Elizabeth Van Lew)'s Story End?
- Tracy Pollan: Tracy Pollan's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Fielder Cook delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 35m runtime.
- Akosua Busia (Mary Bowser): Akosua Busia's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Tom Aldredge (Jefferson Davis): Tom Aldredge's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of A Special Friendship Mean?
A Special Friendship concludes with Fielder Cook reinforcing the tv movie themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Tracy Pollan leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.
A Special Friendship Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is A Special Friendship Based on a True Story?
No, A Special Friendship is a work of fiction. While the tv movie, drama film directed by Fielder Cook and starring Tracy Pollan may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch A Special Friendship?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of TV Movies cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
A Special Friendship Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about A Special Friendship age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of A Special Friendship (1987) is 95 minutes (1h 35m). Directed by Fielder Cook, the film runs for 95 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 9.0/10, and global performance metrics, A Special Friendship is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Special Friendship worth watching?
A Special Friendship is definitely worth watching if you enjoy TV Movie movies. It has a verified rating of 9/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find A Special Friendship parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for A Special Friendship identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of A Special Friendship (1987)?
The runtime of A Special Friendship (1987) is 95 minutes (approximately 1h 35m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
