BEYOND THE CALL

Pam O’Brien (Sissy Spacek) is a suburban Connecticut housewife and mother whose life is turned upside down when she learns that her high school sweetheart, Russell Gates (David Strathairn), has been convicted of killing a policeman and is on death row in South Carolina. Though she hasn’t heard from Russell for twenty years, since he returned from Vietnam, this news rekindles old feelings. Knowing that he will soon be electrocuted, Pam writes to Russell, much to her husband Keith’s (Arliss Howard) dismay.

Russell’s sister, Fran (Jan Wright), urges Pam to visit Russell. Fran explains that after Vietnam, Russell suffered from PostTraumatic Shock Syndrome and killed the policeman while experiencing a Vietnam flashback. His defence was rejected by a society eager to forget the war. Russell, disheartened at having lost so many appeals, has refused to appeal for clemency.

Pam becomes obsessed with fighting for Russell’s life. The mentally ravaged Russell she encounters is not the compassionate young man she remembers. Convinced that Russell is a good person, she vows to help him.

But Pam’s frequent trips to South Carolina begin to take a toll on her children, Rebecca (Lindsay Murrell) and Mark (Andrew Sardella), and on her marriage, as Keith feels neglected and jealous. Pam asks Keith to join her when she visits Russell to prove that there is nothing between Russell and her. Keith assents, but his meeting alone with Russell only confirms his fears about Pam and Russell’s feelings for each other. Russell, in turn, zeroes right in on Keith’s guilt at knowing that he may have killed a fellow soldier with friendly fire.

Pam’s efforts to gain clemency for Russell fail. During Pam’s final visit, she and Russell realise that they are still in love, although Russell will not admit it. But later, with time running out, he phones her and admits his love. His execution leaves Pam and Keith to rebuild their life together.