Lies and Lullabies

Plot

Christina (Susan Dey) is the adult daughter of an alcoholic (Piper Laurie) and a habitual cocaine-user, who continues to abuse the drug after she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend (D.W. Moffett). In spite of disapproval from a well-meaning co-worker (Allyce Beasley), when the baby is born addicted, she is kept away from Christina based on the recommendation of a social worker (Lorraine Toussaint), who deems her an unfit mother. Distraught over being denied custody of her daughter, Christina begins the hard, uphill battle to find sobriety and regain her maternal rights.

History

The script for Lies and Lullabies initially cast Dey as the sister of a closet-cocaine addict who dies during child birth. Dey's character was then charged with raising the baby, ignorant to the developmental delays that would follow. However, after visiting a treatment facility and meeting mothers who were in the process of seeking treatment to regain custody of their children, Dey (who also acted as the producer of the film), asked that the script be rewritten. "(In the early stages) we all had very little compassion for these women. (But upon meeting them we learned) "the reality is that these women can be helped and if given a chance for treatment and a choice between drugs and their children, many choose their children."

Cast

Awards

The movie was awarded the Scott Newman Award (founded by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in memory of their son) that is presented annually to the production that best illustrates the degradation of and triumph over drug addiction.