Jeff Daniels, Marlee Matlin Star in Sweet Nothing In My Ear; Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation Premieres April 20 on CBS
Joseph Sargent directs; Teleplay by Stephen Sachs is based on his play
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 18, 2008) — Multiple Golden Globe-nominee Jeff Daniels (The Squid and the Whale, Purple Rose of Cairo) and Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God) star in Sweet Nothing in My Ear, the 233rd presentation of the Hallmark Hall of Fame, premiering April 20, 2008, 9-11pm ET/PT on CBS. Multiple Emmy Award-winner Joseph Sargent (Miss Rose White, Caroline?, Love Is Never Silent – all Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations) directs from a script by Stephen Sachs (Exits and Entrances) from his stage play of the same name.
Dan Miller (Daniels) and his wife Laura (Matlin) only want what’s best for their happy and healthy 8-year-old son Adam (Noah Valencia), who’s been deaf since age four. Adam’s father (who is hearing) becomes intrigued by a technology (cochlear implants) that may make it possible after surgery for Adam to hear sounds. For Dan, an operation would be worth the risk involved. He believes Adam’s life would be easier and more complete if he could hear.
Adam’s mother, who is deaf, opposes the procedure, believing it would make Adam feel that something’s wrong with him, something that needs “fixing.”
This is a close-knit, loving family – but a family facing a moment of truth. Together or apart, Dan and Laura must make a life-altering decision on behalf of their son.
According to Jeff Daniels, while the issue facing the Millers is specifically about cochlear implants for their son, the family theme is universal. In an on-set interview in Los Angeles, he says, “Families all over this country have to make tough decisions all the time involving their children, for all kinds of reasons – sometimes involving life or death.”
Speaking specifically about the quandary the Millers find themselves in, Daniels says, “The decision that Dan and Laura have to make jeopardizes their very marriage, and the future of their family. There’s a lot at stake – including Adam’s future.”
Also interviewed on the Sweet Nothing in My Ear set, Marlee Matlin says, “This is a film that features a very simple yet powerful turn of events, involving the controversial issue of cochlear implants. I think the audience will be fascinated by this, because it’s a storyline that hasn’t been explored on television before. And then there’s the custody battle – two parents fighting over the custody and the future of their child.”
According to playwright and teleplay writer Stephen Sachs, “The fundamental question for any parent – ‘How do I decide what is best for my child?’ – is something that all of us struggle with as parents, whether we’re hearing or deaf.
“One of the things about this story is that the audience can care for both Dan and Laura, and understand the position each one of them takes. When we’re with Dan, and he’s trying to convince Laura to agree to an implant for Adam, our understanding and sympathy go with him. And then with Laura we flip to the other side and appreciate her point of view, understand where she’s coming from.
“It’s agonizing for any parent to have to make these kinds of decisions, but as parents we must. We do this all the time. Every day. And it’s hard.”
Sweet Nothing in My Ear represents a homecoming of sorts. It comes 23 years after the groundbreaking, Emmy Award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame film Love Is Never Silent, which also explored deaf issues. Sweet Nothing producer and director Joseph Sargent received an Emmy for his directing work on Love Is Never Silent. Deaf West Theatre founder Ed Waterstreet and Tony Award-winner Phyllis Frelich (Children of a Lesser God) return for Sweet Nothing in My Ear, as does the Love Is Never Silent producing team: Marian Rees is Executive Producer; it is produced by Anne Hopkins. Brent Shields is Executive Producer. It is from Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Inc.