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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1997)
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It’s the only brief ecause he was gay, Alan Schindler, a U.S. Navy sailor, was beaten to death clip that attempts to bring the audience into the fearful, chaotic, insular conditions aboard the by two of his shipmates. Terry Helvey Belleau Wood. That Schindler referred to his new and Charles Vins murdered Schindler ship as the “Hell-eau Wood” was not mentioned. in October 1992 in a public restroom during shore leave in Sasebo, Japan. Schindler As a matter of fact, Schindler, played with lamb-like innocence by Paul Popowich, has but a was 23. The crime didn’t end with Schindler’s death, few scenes. Little enough of Schindler’s life is in an event so brutal that every organ in his body was this film that another movie on the affair would not be overkill. destroyed. The injustice lingered on with the The direction the story takes in Any Mother's Son is understandable, considering the filmmak ers’ intention to relay Hajdys’ perspective. Were the film destined to hit a core sexual-minority audience, a film about Schindler would certainly have had different priorities. Navy’s treatment of the two assailants and of Nevertheless, as it stands on its own merits, it Schindler’s mother, Dorothy Hajdys. remains a gripping, moving re-enactment of a On Aug. 11, Lifetime Television will air its true story that’s not been told often enough. The made-for-cable film Any Mother’s Son, the story acting is low-key, save for Hedy Burress as of Hajdys’ coming to terms with her son’s sexu Schindler’s sister, Kathy, who takes it over the top ality and fighting for justice on his behalf. on occasion. Sada Thompson, who may best be Bonnie Bedelia as Hajdys presents a salt-of- remembered for her role on Family, is the calm the-earth, blue-collar woman from working-class center of the familial storm, more likely to jump Chicago who drops the word “queer” as often as ship than referee. Her very stoic performance is she reaches for a cigarette—and she’s a chain refreshing amid such an emotional story. The smoker. Hajdys seems to have cooperated frankly, dialogue is believable, especially the homophobic helping to prevent the portrayal of her character rants by Hajdys’ former sister-in-law, Doris (Fiona from being sanitized or diluted. Reed), which reveal what we suspect goes on The subtle drama in Any Mother’s Son is behind some hateful doors but are never privy to. Hajdys facing her own homophobia as she learns The drama surrounding the criminal charges more about her son’s life: against Schindler’s as through the press, sailants, Helvey (Scott through his journals and G ibson) and Vins through his friends. The (Michael Gabriel), is overt drama is her battle enough to hold anyone’s with the Navy. attention, regardless of Hajdys, the daughter, sexual orientation. Vins ex-wife and mother of was sentenced behind Navy men, is painted as a closed doors and served woman who, through ev 78 days in prison for his ery stage of her life, has role—repeated kicks to trusted the Navy with the head— in Schindler’s people important to her. death. Vins’ scant pun Her seeming naiveté to ishment is what prompted ward this governmental, Hajdys to self-preserving Levia directly involve herself than with a ruthless atti in Helvey’s sentencing, tude about public rela taking the story to a tions is understandable. military courtroom in Ja The m ilitary feeds, Bonnie Bedelia in Any Mother’s Son pan. (D espite scene clothes, doctors and dis changes, the entire film ciplines those in its care. One would have to give was shot on location in Toronto.) up some measure of skepticism to be so mothered. Particularly touching, though, are actual lines It’s a theme that resurfaces time and time again in from Schindler’s journal, which the Navy mailed the movie as officers play upon Hajdys’ faith in to Hajdys with the rest of her son’s personal the “Navy family.” effects. In the film, Hajdys begins reading her Thi s theme hangs so heavi ly over Any Mother’s son’s journal before she’s even left the post office Son that it sometimes feels like a cliché con parking lot. spiracy film. Then you remember that these are, “Miracle of miracles,” she reads, “I’m in love.” for the most part, events as they actually hap Continuing, she learns that the object of pened. And the Navy—Lifetime re-enactments Schindler’s affection is a man from New York. To aside—did have reason to be on the defensive. this revelation, add Hajdys’ trip to San Diego to Schindler, after being moved from the U.S.S. be at a memorial service for Schindler, largely Midway (where he was reportedly comfortable attended by gay men who knew him. with his sexuality) to the U.S.S. Belleau Wood, Lifetime tried to give the audience as intimate came out to the Navy in hopes of being dis a view as possible into Hajdys’ understanding of charged. Following his admission, the command Schindler following his death. With Bedelia’s ing staff of the Belleau Wood did nothing to help, for the most part they succeed. ensure Schindler’s safety. No effort was made to protect him from on-board harassment, let alone Any Mother’s Son shows on Lifetime murder. Television at 9 pm Aug. II, 9 pm Aug. 14, 8 pm The way Any Mother's Son follows the story Aug. 17,8 pm Aug. 23, and noon Aug. 31. from Hajdys’ perspective, this aspect of the Navy’s Dorothy Hajdys is circulating a petition compliance is somewhat downplayed in order to requesting that the Navy deny clemency and concentrate on its seeming reluctance to involve parole to Terry Helvey, who was given a life Hajdys in proceedings against Schindler’s killers. sentence. Helvey will be eligible fo r parole in The actual conditions that Schindler and other 2002. For petition information, call the gay and lesbian sailors and soldiers live under is Servicemembers Legal Defense Network at not the star of this movie. A gay sailor being hit in (202) 328-3244, e-mail sldn@sldn.org, or visit the face as he sleeps is presented in surreal terms: the SLDN Web site (www.sldn.org/). Under red light and in slow motion, faces hidden. B elevisi on
