Deep End of the Ocean, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

This fascinating drama is based on Jacquelyn Mitchards best selling novel. A perfectly happy family, Pat and Beth Cappadora (Treat Williams and Michelle Pfeiffer) and their three children live in Madison, Wisconsin. Beth takes Vincent, age 7, Ben, 3, and her young baby to her high school reunion in Chicago. In the crowded hotel lobby mischievous little Ben becomes separated from his brother, who is supposed to watch him, and disappears. Hours turn into days and days into months as a massive search by the Chicago police proves fruitless. Eventually the detective in charge of the case (Whoopi Goldberg) persuades Beth she must return home to be with her family. Nine years pass and the Cappadoras have moved to Chicago. Vincent (Jonathan Jackson) is now a resentful teenager, Beth has resumed her career as a photographer, and Pat owns a popular Italian restaurant. Then one day Sam (Ryan Merriman), a 12-year-old neighborhood boy, walks into her yard, and immediately Beth knows he is her lost son. THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN is a powerful, moving story of a family shattered by tragedy learning to become whole again. It is one of this years best dramas.

The tension affects all the family. Vincent resents being the big brother always in charge when Beth goes into deep depression, unable to function as a mother, wife or photographer. Arguments peppered with many regular profanities and obscenities reflect just how miserable the family has become. When Sam/Ben comes back into their lives, Vincents feelings of guilt surface and he starts drinking. He sneaks a glass of wine at a party and an off-screen drunk driving incident lands him in jail, which serves as a wakeup call for his parents. Whoopi Goldbergs character, the Chicago detective, shares with Beth that she is a lesbian, but the two become close platonic friends. Pat and Beth are basically a very loving couple and devout Catholics. There is no sex or nudity, but one sexually suggestive scene between Pat and Beth includes some remarks about birth control and sex. At a reunion, Beth and her girlfriends refer to a classmates promiscuity. Without the 20 profanities and 11 obscenities, this is a film parents and older teenagers might want to watch and discuss together.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232