Surviving

TV Movie
1985
15
2h 23m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

River Phoenix and Molly Ringwald in Surviving (1985)

Promising student Rick Brogan discovers that his father, whom he idolizes, is cheating on his mother. Heartbroken, he finds comfort in the arms of his old crush, but her father opposes the r... Read allPromising student Rick Brogan discovers that his father, whom he idolizes, is cheating on his mother. Heartbroken, he finds comfort in the arms of his old crush, but her father opposes the relationship, which pushes Rick over the edge.Promising student Rick Brogan discovers that his father, whom he idolizes, is cheating on his mother. Heartbroken, he finds comfort in the arms of his old crush, but her father opposes the relationship, which pushes Rick over the edge.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

765

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 4 nominations total

Photos49

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Storyline

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Trivia
The nostalgic opening title sequence shows genuine photos of the main cast members as children or young adults.

Goofs
The word sheriff is misspelled "sherriff" in the closing credits.

Quotes
Lonnie: Hold me. Promise me that you won't let go.
Rick Brogan: I promise you I won't.

Alternate versions
Several video guides say that this film was originally 156 minutes in length. However, the 1993 video (released under the title TRAGEDY) is only 118 minutes long.

Connections
Featured in 'Surviving' ABC Theater Commercial (1985)

Soundtracks
We Belong
Written by Dan Navarro (as D. Navarro) and Eric Lowen (as R. Lowen)
Performed by Pat Benatar
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records

User reviews22

Featured review

a great but depressing film

Everyone in this film gives awesome performances. Ellen Burstyn, Len Cariou, Paul Sorvino and Marsha Mason are all great as the parents who have to face the ultimate tragedy. People have often said Molly Ringwald is a terrible actress, but she gives a fine performance here and it really touched my heart. It made me so angry that these two stupid kids could have been so selfish. Every week in the United States over one thousand kids take their own lives. This is a long film but you are riveted every minute. There is one tragic footnote I wanted to add, the two young actors that played the siblings of the boy in the film who killed himself both met tragic ends in real life. Heather O'Rourke died in 1988 when she was only twelve of stomach cancer and River Phoenix died in 1993 of a drug overdose.