Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 5, 2019

1975’s “Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic” endeavored to continue a tradition that was developing during the 1970s, where producers were getting the idea to bring adolescent issues to prime time television. It was the playground of “After School Special,” but such message-minded storytelling was ready to be experienced by a multi-generational viewing audience, giving the concerns of confused young people a prime slot for massive viewership. Films like “Born Innocent” also offered a glimpse of Linda Blair, who became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood after her role as the cursed child Regan in “The Exorcist,” gifting the actress continued onscreen agony as she played a runaway, soon graduating to a secret alcoholic in “Sarah T.” Brought on for her innocent look and comfort with darkness, Blair delivers a strong performance as the titular juvenile, tasked with communicating the pain and confusion of a youngster caught up in something she doesn’t understand and doesn’t care to address, while director Richard Donner finds economical ways to convey such growing distress, guiding a collection of dependable actors to back up Blair in this compassionate study of abuse of all kinds.

A child of divorce, Sarah (Linda Blair) is starting a new life in a new town, with her mother, Jean (Verna Bloom), urging her daughter to warm up to her surroundings, while the teenager longs for time with her absentee father, Jerry (Larry Hagman). Trying to make friends and participate in activities, Sarah can’t cope with her perceived inadequacy, turning to alcohol to drown her pain, finding way to sneak drinks in the house. Enjoying an unexpected relationship with classmate Ken (Mark Hamill), Sarah hopes to better her life, but her addiction always gets the best of her, threatening her education, her time with Ken, and her household stability, with Jean forced to confront all she’s ignored when therapist Marvin (Michael Lerner) urges the 15-year-old girl to consider Alcoholics Anonymous to help begin the path to recovery.

What’s interesting about “Sarah T.” is Donner’s involvement, with the feature broadcast a year before the helmer’s rise to dominance with “The Omen” and “Superman: The Movie,” which turned him into a directorial icon. But here, in 1975, Donner was an ace with television entertainment, and such expertise shows through the effort, which offers a proper escalation of events and attention to performances, giving the cast chances to communicate the inner horror of the alcoholism experience. While “Sarah T.” is mostly about selling the message of self-care and disease, Donner balances such offerings of stats with pointed jabs at the evils of booze, even opening the film with faux beer commercial that highlights smiling outdoor living before Sarah’s crushing reality is revealed.

“Sarah T.” has its melodramatic interests, making sure to reach viewers with heightened encounters and drastic decisions. However, for this type of tale, the production remains remarkably patient with its lead character, charting her urge to drink, which begins with small gulps from abandoned party glasses and graduates to bottles at school, with Sarah working several scams to acquire liquor, enjoying its numbing properties and use as social lubricant, which bonds her to Ken, a fellow teen who doesn’t return her feelings in full. “Sarah T.” makes powerful points on the importance of parental influence, finding Sarah surrounded by heavy drinkers, while Jean is a singular force of denial, unable to comprehend her role in the mental breakdown of her youngest child. Such post-divorce analysis gives the material a fascinating perspective on responsibility, but it never excuses Sarah’s disease, keeping the girl’s concerns and submission up close and personal.

Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Intended for broadcast on network television, "Sarah T." comes to Blu-ray with a "New 2K scan of the original film elements," giving the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation a respectful refreshing. Hues are compelling throughout, embracing California locations with bright greenery, and city tours and period costuming present more varied colors, doing well with signage and teenage outfits. Skintones are natural, capturing the redness of Sarah's cheeks. Detail is strong, handling close-ups very well, surveying the years of damage drinking inflicts on the adult characters (Bloom's weathered appearance is captured in full). Costumes are lived-in, and interior spaces showcase intense decoration. Labels are also easy to read. It's a slightly darker scan at times, making delineation a challenge but not an issue as character encounters explore the night. Source is in decent shape, without damage.

Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix contributes a steady listening event, with emphasis on performances. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, securing thespian choices and bitter conflicts, remaining steady without distortion. Scoring is supportive but mild, offering an agreeably sensitive mood for the production, with fine instrumentation. Performances are louder, showcasing clear voices. Community bustle and partying is understood. Hiss wavers in intensity during the picture, and some pops are detected.

Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Linda B. on Sarah T." (16:53, HD) is an interview with Linda Blair, who makes a noticeable effort to describe the reasons for her appearance in "Sarah T." Coming off her massive success in "The Exorcist," Blair wasn't sure what was next for her, interested in returning to everyday life and her desire to become a veterinarian. However, her handlers had other plans, pushing her to make "Airport 1975" and star in "Born Innocent," taking part in the new world of television movies. "Sarah T." soon followed, but Blair reinforces confusion during this time, lacking control of her destiny, but put into the hands of Richard Donner, who was prepared to help the young actress. Blair also credits Mark Hamill for his kindness, helping her with real acting challenges, including monologues. Blair recalls her co-stars, sharing her awe with famous actors such as Larry Hagman and Verna Bloom. The interview ends with a lengthy examination of her acting, working to find the truth behind alcoholism without being able to experience it, and Blair shares tales of the movie's influence, with many inspired to find help after viewing the film.

• "Portrait of a T.V. Movie" (19:30, HD) sits down with producer David Levinson and director Richard Donner to offer slightly random thoughts on the making of "Sarah T." The project began with a television executive interested is dissecting alcoholism, inspiring Levinson to create the project, making sure to lure Donner into the mix after years using him for various projects, greatly impressed with his talents. Donner examines a few shot choices and reinforces the importance of the topic, which didn't seem real to him before he began his research. The men highlight the unexpected response to a helpline number that was placed at the end of the movie and celebrate technical achievements, including the casting of Hamill and work from cinematographer Gayne Rescher. Advisor William Charles Rader's participation is also examined. Donner and Levinson are proud of the film, sharing its connection to the audience, while the helmer mourns the end of his television career, soon moving on to guide "The Omen."

• Still Gallery (4:01) offers publicity snaps, advertising art, and pages from a press kit.

Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Even for a television movie that aired over four decades ago, "Sarah T." still manages to shock on occasion, with an open-eyed view of how alcoholism tears apart people at any age. It's smart about family ties and neglect, clueless parenting, and desperation. It still retains the softness of prime time television, but Donner maintains rawness to the journey, carefully showcasing a special downfall from an unlikely source of misery, with hopes such dramatic reenactment might trigger some real-world recognition.