Watch When She Was Bad

When She Was Bad is a dramatic film released in 1979 which chronicles the tumultuous life of a troubled young woman named Martha. The movie stars Eileen Brennan as Martha's mother, Adele, and Dabney Coleman as Adele's new husband, Walter. The film begins as Martha is released from a mental hospital after a five-year stay. Her mother and stepfather pick her up and bring her home, but tensions are high as Martha struggles to adjust to life outside of the hospital. It soon becomes clear that Martha's mental health is fragile, and her family's attempts to help her only seem to make things worse.

As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Martha has a complex relationship with her mother, who is cold and critical towards her. Adele seems to blame Martha for her father's death, and has difficulty showing her daughter any affection or support. Meanwhile, Walter is kind to Martha, but is also preoccupied with his job as a real estate developer and has little time for her.

Despite her family's best efforts, Martha's mental state deteriorates further. She becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that someone is watching her every move. She also begins to exhibit violent behavior, destroying property and lashing out at those around her.

As Martha's condition worsens, Adele and Walter struggle to come to terms with what's happening. Adele is reluctant to acknowledge that her daughter needs professional help, while Walter sees Martha as a problem that needs to be fixed. Meanwhile, Martha becomes more and more isolated, cut off from the few people in her life who still care about her.

The film is a powerful exploration of mental illness and family dynamics. It portrays the devastating impact that mental illness can have on an individual and those around them, and highlights the challenges faced by families who are struggling to cope with a loved one's mental health issues.

Eileen Brennan delivers a standout performance as Adele, perfectly capturing her character's conflicted emotions and the strain that her relationship with Martha puts on her marriage. Dabney Coleman is equally impressive as Walter, bringing a sense of urgency to his efforts to "fix" Martha.

However, it is newcomer Kerrie Keane who steals the show with her portrayal of Martha. Keane delivers a raw and emotional performance that is both challenging and heartbreaking to watch. She captures the complexity of Martha's character, conveying both her vulnerability and her volatility with equal skill.

Overall, When She Was Bad is a compelling and thought-provoking film that tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and skill. While it may be a challenging watch at times, it is also an important and powerful exploration of mental illness and the impact it can have on families.

When She Was Bad is a 1979 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.