Skip Lewis (Chad Lowe), 17, becomes despondent when his grades aren't good enough, when an older girl rejects him, when no one seems to understand - or love - him. His death at first looks like an accident, but his younger sister Cindy (Dana Hill), with whom he'd had disagreements, starts putting things together.
It's not a popular form or research as she discovers how much Skip was reaching out to friends and family for reassurance and found none. Penningroth and director Richard Michaels have done a fine piece of work: If there is any guilt it's spread around with equal concern. What surfaces most is the wastefulness of teenage suicides, the regrets the survivors feel, the sense of shame.
The fact remains that no malice was intended, no lack of love, only reluctance. "As Cindy cries out, "Did you ever say, 'I love you?'"
Performances are striking. Mariette Hartley as the stricken mother and Howard Hesseman as the slowly awakening father are first rate. Hill's Cindy is brash and fully developed, while Elizabeth Berridge as a would-be g.f. demonstrates a depth and sensitivity far beyond her years. Lowe's Skip is solid.
As Skip's buddy Ken, Charlie Sheen gives an intense, well-thought-out interp. He carries much of the burden of this telefilm, and he carries it assuredly, while Jaleel White as the gravely ill boy Henry does a beautiful job.
"Silence of the Heart" proves how strong drama can educate as well as grip.
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