A Fragile Peace

Mike Stockman's drinking problem is destroying his public relations career, his health and his family. His wife Katy unwittingly contributes to the predicament by refusing to recognize the extent of the crisis, and by her blind determination to ""nurture him back to the man he used to be.'' Their two teenage children, Rick and Lee, are emotional wrecks, unable to distinguish between love and hate. Although both of them find solace in healthy (and beautifully portrayed) relationships with friends of the opposite sex, they remain alone in their fear and anger. Katy gradually realizes that she can no longer protect Mike in his alcoholic cocoon, but is unable to act until Lee attempts suicide. It is impossible not to be moved by the pathetic, all-too-real story that Heckler (Safekeeping) relates. The reader is brought into the consciousness of each of the Stockmans in turn, sharing their overwhelming confusion and pain. This would make a searing film. January