Surviving: A Family in Crisis (also known simply as Surviving, and later released on VHS as Tragedy) is a 1985 ABC television film. Directed by Warris Hussein and starring Zach Galligan, Molly Ringwald, Ellen Burstyn, Len Cariou, Marsha Mason, Paul Sorvino, River Phoenix and Heather O'Rourke, the film is described as a modern-day Romeo & Juliet story that examines the tragedy of teen suicide, and the loved ones left behind to pick up the pieces.
Plot Rick Brogan is the apple of his father's eye—smart, handsome, and idolized by his younger siblings Philip and Sarah. By stark contrast, Lonnie Carson is a troubled and withdrawn girl, struggling to put the painful memory of a suicide attempt behind her. Both teenagers are dealing with loneliness and family pressures when they begin to find solace in each other, and a young romance develops. As Rick and Lonnie's bond begins to grow stronger, and they become increasingly withdrawn from their friends and families, their protective parents begin to worry that the young lovers are becoming too involved and grow increasingly uncomfortable with the teenagers' relationship. Finally, when Rick's parents Tina and David decide that Lonnie is a bad influence on their son, and Lonnie's parents Lois and Harvey decide that boarding school would be the best place for their troubled daughter, Rick and Lonnie, desperate not to be separated, make a tragic decision to take their own lives. In the wake of the young lovers' fatal suicide pact, the two devastated families are left to try and pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and must somehow find a way to go on.
Cast Actor Role Zach Galligan Rick Brogan Molly Ringwald Lonnie Carson Ellen Burstyn Tina Brogan Len Cariou David Brogan Marsha Mason Lois Carson Paul Sorvino Harvey Carson River Phoenix Philip Brogan Heather O'Rourke Sarah Brogan William Windom Dr. Madsen Marc Gilpin Bobby Paddi Edwards Alma Camila Ashland Woman #1 Jane Simoneau May Joe Berryman Sheriff Lon Coggeshall Jed Midge Woolsey Helen Sandra Gilpin Woman #2 David C. Allen Kid Kim Valentine Sherry Robert Douglas Scott Artie Regina Johnson Supervisor Norma Moore Psychologist Barry Brawley Kid
Awards Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.1984–1985Young Artist AwardsBest Family Television SpecialSurvivingBest Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-SeriesHeather O'RourkeBest Young Actor in a Television Special or Mini-SeriesRiver Phoenix1985Humanitas Prize90-Minute CategoryJoyce Eliason1986Artios AwardBest Casting for TV Movie of the weekMarsha KleinmanKathleen Letterie
Reception The initial airing of the film brought in an 18.1 rating and a 26 share, ranking third in its timeslot, and ranking 23rd out of 66 programs aired that week.
Novelization A novelization of the film was written by Elizabeth Faucher and published by the Scholastic Corporation.
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