If These Walls Could Talk (1996)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(5,846 ratings)

The compilation film If These Walls Could Talk consists of three short films that each deal with the controversial issue of abortion. Although each of the stories is set in a different decade, the unifying element (aside from the subject matter) is that all three transpire in the same house. The… More The compilation film If These Walls Could Talk consists of three short films that each deal with the controversial issue of abortion. Although each of the stories is set in a different decade, the unifying element (aside from the subject matter) is that all three transpire in the same house. The first story stars Demi Moore as the widow of a soldier killer in combat. She becomes pregnant and does not feel it would be morally appropriate to have the baby. Because it is the '50s, she must attempt to secure an illegal abortion. The second story, set in the '70s, stars Sissy Spacek as a mother of a struggling family. Having successfully raised four children on a meager income, Spacek's character must now decide if she should seek an abortion after finding out she is expecting a fifth. The final story takes place in the '90s. Anne Heche portrays a grad student who crosses protestors' picket lines in order to consult a doctor (Cher) about having an abortion. The first two parts, "1952" and "1974," were directed by Nancy Savoca, and the last part, "1996," was helmed by Cher, in her directorial debut. If These Walls Could Talk aired originally on HBO. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Cher, Nancy Savoca
Genres: Drama, Television

In Theaters: Sep 11, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Mar 21, 2000
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
There's little art and not much entertainment either in HBO's earnestly didactic anthology of how a series of different women deal with their unexpected pregnancies.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Overly earnest but admirable short films about important issues.
Mark Robison, Reno Gazette-Journal
Too earnest perhaps, but interesting

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

If These Walls Could Talk is an uncompromising trio of films dealing with the abortion issue over three decades. It's fascinating to watch how times have (and haven't) changed. In this regard, 1952 starring Demi Moore and… More
If These Walls Could Talk is an uncompromising trio of films dealing with the abortion issue over three decades. It's fascinating to watch how times have (and haven't) changed. In this regard, 1952 starring Demi Moore and 1996 starring Anne Heche and Cher are the most resonant stories. In the former, Moore plays a widowed nurse struggling to find a way to safely terminate her pregnancy in a decade where such practices were illegal, shrouded in secrecy and often resulted in the woman dying from haemorrhaging or infection. It's painful to watch and Moore is unusually excellent, and there's good support from mother-of-one Catherine Keener as the step-sister. In 1996, Heche plays a student who becomes pregnant following an affair with one of her professor's. This is easily the standout story; it is still hugely relevant, with a mixture of views on the issue represented without judgement. Cher, who capably directs this segment, has quite a small role as one of the doctors at the clinic Heche visits, and I wonder if her ego was involved in getting her the starring credit or if it was considered necessary by the studio in order to attract a bigger audience. 1996 undoubtedly is based on true events - the ending, which is properly shocking, seems ripped from the headlines - making it all the more powerful. By contrast, the Sissy Spacek headlining 1974 - the shortest of the three films - isn't particularly involving since, oddly, her situation is presented as the least difficult to manage. I suppose a middle-aged woman with a large family discovering she is pregnant once again just isn't particularly interesting (though I do remember that an episode of ER handled a very similar situation with greater dramatic depth). Overall though, If These Walls is a moving project that rises above from its somewhat 'televisual' aesthetic.
Sunil J

Wow. Amazingly upsetting but a really good HBO movie.
Ina S

Have to see it again one day, it's been a while, but I remember that it made a very big impression on me and stuck in my head ever since. Moving, important film.
Leo L

Great film!
Sarah P

A very different kind of movie - shows abortion isnt evil and heartless or even welcomed as many on the right would suggest.

Cast

            Xander Berkeley as John

            Eileen Brennan
            
            Dena Burton
            
            Cher as Dr. Beth Thompson

            Kevin Cooney as Dr. Kramer

            Lindsay Crouse as Frances

            Robin Gammell
            
            Joanna Gleason as Julia

            Anne Heche as Christine

            Catherine Keener as Becky

            Shirley Knight as Mary

            Jason London as Kevin

            Phyllis Lyons
            
            Craig T. Nelson
            
            Jada Pinkett Smith as Patti

            CCH Pounder as Jenny

            Diana Scarwid as Marcia

            Sissy Spacek as Barbara

            Lorraine Toussaint
            
            Rita Wilson
            
            Harris Yulin
            
            Demi Moore as Claire

            Ian Bohen
            
            Janna Michaels
            
            Hedy Burress
            
            Zack Eginton
            
            Aaron Lusting
            
See full cast