Is A Time to Remember Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1987)

📖 The Core Premise

A Time to Remember returns to the screen in 1987, bringing a fresh narrative to the Family, Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "It is small town America in the 1950's. Twelve year-old Angelo Villano has one dream: to someday sing like his idol, Mario Lanza. His grandmother, Mama Theresa encourages him; and his beautiful voice catches the attention of the formidable but kind Father Walsh who arranges for him to receive formal training. This infuriates Angelo's widowed father, Frank, who wants his son to be a steelworker like him. Determined to "make a man out of him", Frank forbids Angelo from singing. When Angelo is chased by bullies into the path of an oncoming car, he recovers all but his voice, retreating into a silent world that no one can touch. One night, locked in the church basement, the frightened Angelo experiences a spectacular vision, a true Christmas miracle, that changes his life. And when his vision and his voice return during Christmas Eve Mass, no one can deny the beauty and blessing of his amazing gift."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Donald O'Connor's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Family. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is A Time to Remember worth your time? If you appreciate Family, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, A Time to Remember is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 77 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.