When her estranged, drifter husband Matt returns after spending seven years in prison to ask her to let him be a part of her life again, Rachel Kirby's life is thrown into turmoil, which also affects her teenage daughter and mother.
Acting
Geraldine Page as the grandmother—steals every scene she's in.
Writing
Dialogue that actually lets characters be unlikeable and human.
Director
Peter H. Hunt
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was a CBS television movie that aired in May 1984, part of the network's push for serious adult dramas during sweeps. Peter H. Hunt was primarily known for stage and TV musicals, making this kitchen-sink drama an unexpected detour.
The title 'The Parade' refers to a literal small-town event, but also the performative nature of family reconciliation that Rachel stages for public consumption. 1984 was peak 'disease of the week' and 'family in crisis' TV movie era—this sits right in that Venn diagram.
US
