The Boy Who Drank Too Much (1980)

The Boy Who Drank Too Much Poster

A high school athlete is well on the road to becoming an alcoholic like his ex-hockey pro father until his teammate and best friend commits himself to saving him from his self-destructive habit.

Introduction
"The Boy Who Drank Too Much" is a 1980 American made-for-television drama movie directed by Jerrold Freedman. The movie was aired on CBS and was based upon the young person novel by Shep Greene. The stars of the film include Scott Baio, Lance Kerwin, and Don Murray. In the motion picture, the story unfolds a riveting tale focused around alcohol addiction and its impacts on a young teen's life.

Story
The movie focuses on the protagonist, Buff Saunders (Scott Baio), a teenaged boy who ends up being addicted to alcohol due to the various pressures in his life. Buff struggles especially with his violent dad, who is likewise an alcoholic, and his overwhelming expectations to master sports, particularly hockey.

After Buff's behavior grows significantly unpredictable and hazardous due to his frequent drunkenness, his friend Billy Carpenter (Lance Kerwin) steps in. Billy is the voice of reason and tries to offer support, help, and protect Buff when his addiction escalates to a disconcerting level.

Conflict
The hidden conflict in the movie arises from Buff's father's denial of his kid's drinking issue. His adamant refusal to accept the truth of the scenario exacerbates the adverse impacts of Buff's alcohol addiction. Billy, torn in between friendship and duty, has a hard time to convince Buff and his daddy to resolve the issue seriously.

Resolution
Billy's ruthless efforts to assist Buff ultimately lead to a conflict in between Buff and his father. After a heated argument and a mind-blowing minute of self-realization, Buff finally agrees to seek aid for his dependency, marking the start of his tough journey to recovery.

Styles
"The Boy Who Drank Too Much" handles the delicate concern of teenage alcohol addiction delicately, shedding light on its damaging impacts not just on the private however likewise on their loved ones. The film likewise highlights the value of understanding, relationship, household support, and professional assistance in getting rid of addiction. The mental conditions causing drug abuse, which frequently come from a person's attempt to leave individual issues, are prominently illustrated in this story. The story likewise focuses on nerve, determination, and durability in the face of hardship.

Concluding Remarks
Overall, "The Boy Who Drank Too Much" is a gripping movie that dives deep into the world of alcohol addiction and its effects, particularly focusing on children. With strong efficiencies from the cast and an effective storyline, the movie functions as a cautioning about the risks of alcohol addiction and the value of acknowledging and challenging the problem. Despite being a TV film from the '80s, the styles it checks out are still pertinent and hold a considerable message, making it a compelling watch.

Top Cast

  • Scott Baio (small)
    Scott Baio
    Buff Saunders
  • Lance Kerwin (small)
    Lance Kerwin
    Billy Carpenter
  • Ed Lauter (small)
    Ed Lauter
    Gus Carpenter
  • Mariclare Costello (small)
    Mariclare Costello
    Louise Carpenter
  • Don Murray (small)
    Don Murray
    Ken Saunders
  • Stephen Davies (small)
    Stephen Davies
    Alan
  • Toni Kalem (small)
    Toni Kalem
    Tina
  • Katherine Pass
    Donna Watson
  • Dan Shor (small)
    Dan Shor
    Art Collins
  • Michele Tobin (small)
    Michele Tobin
    Julie Seidman
  • Ron Max
    Coach Anderson