Alone In the Dark

If you remember being stuck in Health Class watching a flickering 16mm film explode tabloid style on the dangers of foolish choices, you will appreciate this fine update available now in the post-Wonder Years. Helped by professional acting and high production values, the script combines the old "guardian-angel-on-my-shoulder" device with flashbacks and comes up a winner. This is the story of Tasha, age seventeen, who has to make choices. We first meet her sleeping in class, observed not only by her boyfriend and best friend, but by the Assistant Controller in the misty, celestial Control Room. Later that evening, on the verge of a lethal car accident, the A.C. brings her "upstairs" to observe her mistakes: 1) sneaking out to a party despite being grounded by her mother, 2) bringing her younger sister with her, and 3) exposing the child to gambling, violent behavior, and alcohol abuse. Her final error is fatal: driving home wasted. I liked this morality tale, even though the ending is telegraphed and the message is brought home with a sledge hammer. The cast is appealing, especially Tasha; equally affecting is Dee Wallace Stone as the mother, who is by turns hysterical with anger and grief. This would be an excellent tool in a junior or senior high school class discussing social responsibility, and would be appropriate for YA collections in public libraries. Highly recommended. (E. Druda)