Reckless Disregard is a 1985 American film that was directed by Harvey Hart. It stars Tess Harper as a lawyer that must defend a physician against claims of selling prescriptions. After accepting the part Harper commented that the role was different from those she'd played in the past such as "rural mothers".[1] The film has drawn comparisons to the 1983 Galloway lawsuit against Dan Rather as well as the case of Westmoreland vs. CBS.[2][3]

Reckless Disregard
Film poster
Directed byHarvey Hart
Written byCharles S. Haas
StarringTess Harper
Leslie Nielsen
Ronny Cox
Henry Ramer
Kate Lynch
Sean McCann
CinematographyRené Verzier
Edited byTony Lower
Music byGil Goldstein
Production
company
Telecom Entertainment Inc.
Distributed byShowtime
Release date
  • March 17, 1985 (1985-03-17)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

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Meredith Craig is a small-time lawyer that must defend Edward Lucas, a physician whose practice was ruined after a television show claimed that he sold illegal drug prescriptions. Edward wants Meredith to sue the show, stating that its host Bob Franklin was guilty of libel, as Edward claims innocence.

Cast

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Reception

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The Los Angeles Times reviewed the film and drew parallels to the 1983 Galloway lawsuit against Dan Rather.[4] The New York Times made similar comments, stating that "The way reality has been rendered into fiction with ''Reckless Disregard'' illustrates how film makers try to heighten drama by sharpening and simplifying murky issues."[5] People panned the film, writing that "In the wake of Westmoreland vs. CBS, there's a compelling movie to be made about how TV news works, how the producers do all the work and the anchors get all the credit, how interviews are edited, how news and entertainment merge on TV. But this isn't that movie."[2]

References

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  1. ^ Buck, Jerry (March 1, 1985). "Actress Spreads Wings In Reckless Disregard". Kentucky New Era. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Picks and Pans Review: Reckless Disregard". People.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  3. ^ "Reckless Disregard' Gives Inside Look At '60 Minutes' Report". The Day. Mar 17, 1985. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  4. ^ ROSENBERG, HOWARD (1985-03-18). "The Dumb Defense Rests Again In 'Reckless'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  5. ^ Smith, Sally Bedell (1984-10-30). "TV MOVIER PARALLELS SLANDER TRIAL OF RATHER". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
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