Review of In the Custody of Strangers (1982) by Gregory W — 22 Nov 2010

Unemployed Martin Sheen makes this film work as his son gets in jail. Not a bad kid initially, but trying to get him out is the problem as the system takes over in a depressed steel town. A tale of frustration for Martin Sheen, his wife, the son and us, the audience.

RT gets low marks again for not mentioning Sheen in their synopsis of the movie. How can a role as prominent as the father that Sheen plays be missed in the credits? Of course, in the extended remarks Sheen's name does appear, buried with the entire cast.

A one time case of drunkeness over his plight at home and his girlfriend moving lands him in jail. The title says it all. Worth watching with touching drama at times.

The only criticism of Sheen's acting is that he uses some sort of hoosier rural accent when he gets mad but returns to a civil accent when he is calm. When angry he over acts. The father has a short temper but Sheen goes hyper angry playing him.

The ending is quite dramatic after being released from a 40 day jail sentence that should have been one night.

Cast.

Martin Sheen (the father).

Emilio Estevez (the son).

Jane Alexander (the mother).

Kenneth McMillan.

Ed Lauter.

Virginia Kiser.

Crew.

Director: Robert Greenwald.

Associate Producer: William Beaudine Jr.

Cinematographer: Isadore Mankofsky.

Composer: Matthew McCauley.

Editor: Robert Florio.

Music Supervisor: Matthew McCauley.

Producer: Frank Von Zerneck.

Production Designer: Norm Baron.

Screenplay: Jennifer Miller.

Set Decorator : Robert Checchi.

Sound : Barry Thomas.