Watch A Friend of the Family

A Friend of the Family is a 2005 Canadian-American made-for-TV movie directed by Stuart Gillard. The film stars Laura Harris, Eric Johnson, and Kim Coates. The movie is a gripping tale of a family struggling with issues of drug addiction and betrayal. The story revolves around Alison, played by Laura Harris, who is married to successful lawyer Brandon, played by Eric Johnson. They have a young daughter, Hannah, and everything seems to be going well for them, until Alison's troubled brother, Ted, played by Kim Coates, is released from prison and comes to live with them.

Ted is a former drug addict who has been clean for several years, but his past still haunts him. Alison, who was estranged from Ted, tries to reconnect with him and help him get back on his feet. She feels responsible for his rehabilitation since their parents are dead, and she's the only family Ted has left. However, Brandon is not pleased with this and is skeptical of Ted's motives. He wants to protect his family from Ted’s harmful influence.

As Ted tries to rebuild his life, he is constantly plagued by his old demons, and events spiral out of control. He is offered drugs by an old acquaintance and becomes embroiled in a drug deal that goes wrong. The situation escalates, and he finds himself in a dangerous and life-threatening dilemma.

Meanwhile, Alison is trying to hold her family together, but Brandon’s devotion to his work and his continuing suspicion of Ted strain their marriage. As Ted's secrets and past are gradually revealed, the family has to come to terms with the difficult choices they have made.

A Friend of the Family is a heart-wrenching drama that explores the themes of family, loyalty, addiction, and betrayal. Laura Harris delivers a powerful performance as the conflicted sister who is trying to make amends for the past. Eric Johnson is convincing as the controlling husband, who ultimately has to come to terms with his own faults. Kim Coates delivers an excellent portrayal of a drug addict with a troubled past.

The movie highlights the struggles that many families go through when dealing with addiction and the impact it can have on relationships. It also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the sacrifices that people make for the people they love.

Overall, A Friend of the Family is a well-crafted and emotionally engaging film that deserves recognition. It's definitely worth watching for anyone who enjoys a good drama about family dynamics and the pain that comes with sacrifice.

A Friend of the Family is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.