Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter?
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GenreDrama
Written byLiz Coe
Directed byChuck Bowman
StarringLinda Gray
Jamie Luner
Theme music composerBruce Babcock
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerLawrence Horowitz
Production locationPortland, Oregon
CinematographyMichael Hofstein
Running time96 minutes
Production companyO'Hara-Horowitz Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseApril 28, 1993 (1993-04-28)

Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter? is a 1993 made-for-television drama film directed by Chuck Bowman. It is based on the true story of Diana Moffit, a teenage girl lured into prostitution, and the efforts of her mother, Gayle Moffit, to convict the man responsible for Diana's death. The film is a part of the Moment of Truth franchise and premiered on NBC on April 28, 1993.[1]

Plot

Set in the 1980s, the story focuses on Diana Moffitt, a likable 17-year-old from Portland, Oregon. Trouble starts when her parents decide to file for divorce, as well as being dumped by her boyfriend. She takes it very hard and begins a relationship with a 23-year-old man named A.J. Treace, even though her mother, Gayle, senses that A.J. is bad news. As it turns out, he is a pimp who abuses Diana and lures her into the world of prostitution, which results in her dropping out of school, quitting her job and estrangement from her family. Gayle is devastated by this news and even goes as far as confronting Diana in a strip club where she is working. Desperate to save her daughter, she often confronts her and starts looking for ways to do something about it. Diana sometimes shows interest in her old life, but has trouble breaking out of the dark world she is living in. At one point, Diana disassociates herself from A.J. after a violent confrontation and returns home with her mother, even agreeing to press charges against him, but later drops the charges after A.J. talks her out of it and promises to change.

Diana is eventually mysteriously murdered, much to the distress of Gayle, who strongly feels that A.J. is responsible. Determined to get A.J. behind bars, she notifies the police, who put her in contact with Sgt. Jack Powell, but they are initially unable to charge A.J. because he claims to have played no part in Diana's death, even though Gayle knows the truth. Looking for another related charge, she meets April, another one of A.J.'s prostitutes, who was also a friend of Diana's from the strip club that they once worked at. After gaining April's trust, Gayle begins to get information from her which could enable her to successfully charge him with the murder of her daughter. Eventually, A.J. is arrested by Jack on charges of racketeering and promoting prostitution, and despite once again pleading ignorance, Jack is able to make the charges stick, and A.J. is found guilty in his subsequent trial.

The film's epilogue reveals that A.J. was sentenced to 17 years for his crimes, as well as the fact that Diana's murder was never officially solved.

Cast

Production

The movie received generally negative reviews, being called 'melodramatic', 'formulaic' and with 'weak performances'.[2]

Filming took place in Portland, Oregon.[2]

Linda Gray accepted the lead role because she saw it as an opportunity to "educate other women".[3] The real Gayle Moffit was on the set during production, but Gray decided not to talk with her, because she wanted to act out of her own maternal instincts.[3]

For Antonio Sabàto, Jr., who landed the role because of his sex appeal, the movie marked his first appearance on primetime television.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Wayne Havrelly (August 15, 2009). "Investigation reveals child sex slave trade in Oregon". KGW. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Daily Variety, April 23, 1993 - Review by Hoyt Hillsman
  3. 1 2 Shades of Gray - A Break Was Nice But the 'Dallas' Star Aims to Get Busy Los Angeles Times - April 25, 1993
  4. ↑ Sabato Faces a 'Moment of Truth' - Television: The 21-year-old, who has been turning heads on 'General Hospital' for about a year, makes his prime-time debut in an NBC movie. Los Angeles Times - April 27, 1993
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