''Safe Harbor'' is a 2009

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

, based on a true story starring

Treat Williams Richard Treat Williams (born December 1, 1951) is an American actor, writer and aviator who has appeared on film, stage and television in over 120 credits. He first became well known for his starring role in the 1979 musical film '' Hair'', and la ...

and

Nancy Travis Nancy Ann Travis (born September 21, 1961) is an American actress. She began her career on Off-Broadway theater, before her first leading screen role in the ABC television miniseries ''Harem'' opposite Omar Sharif. Her breakthrough came in 198 ...

. The film was first shown on

Hallmark Channel The Hallmark Channel is an American television channel owned by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which in turn is owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc. The channel's programming is primarily targeted at families, and features a mix of television movies a ...

on May 30, 2009."Safe Harbor...A Lifeline for Troubled Boys"
Safe Harbor Boys' Academy press release, January 21, 2009]Press release
, Hallmark Channel, January 26, 2009]

History

The movie is based on the beginnings of the Safe Harbor Boys Home, a residential educational program for at risk teenaged boys on the Saint Johns River in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the List of United States cities by area, largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the co ...

, founded by Doug and Robbie Smith. The program teaches troubled teens the

maritime Maritime may refer to: Geography * Maritime Alps, a mountain range in the southwestern part of the Alps * Maritime Region, a region in Togo * Maritime Southeast Asia * The Maritimes, the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prin ...

skills of navigation and voyaging both under sail and under power, along with valuable vocational skills such as engine repair, electrical work and

welding Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion. Welding is distinct from lower temperature techniques such as bra ...

, combined with a strong academic program. The program's combination of academic and vocational education, teamed with the structure, discipline and love they receive, has resulted in a 95% success rate with the boys served by the program. The screenwriter Josef Anderson and executive producer Norton Wright spent hours interviewing the Smiths.

Plot

Doug and Robbie Smith are a happily married, childless couple about to retire and spend their days cruising around the world on their sailboat. But before they have the chance to leave, their good friend, Judge David Roberts, asks them to care for two teenage boys he sentenced to

juvenile hall In criminal justice systems, a youth detention center, known as a juvenile detention center (JDC),Stahl, Dean, Karen Kerchelich, and Ralph De Sola. ''Abbreviations Dictionary''. CRC Press, 20011202. Retrieved 23 August 2010. , . juvenile det ...

. The facility is currently full and the judge tells the couple that, instead of being sent to county jail, the boys can help them prepare their boat for sailing day. The Smiths agree and soon take on two more boys with similar circumstances. The Smiths are soon faced with a variety of challenges from the boys, their surly attitude and a fire on the boat. Ultimately, Doug and Robbie see positive changes in the four young men, who are now reluctant to leave their new "family". Doug and Robbie also see changes in themselves as they rethink their sailing trip, their decision not to have children, and what their future now holds.

Cast

as Doug *

as Robbie *

Orson Bean Orson Bean (born Dallas Frederick Burrows; July 22, 1928 – February 7, 2020) was an American film, television, and stage actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He was a game show and talk show host and a "mainstay of Los Angeles’ small ...

as Jack Roberts *

Reiley McClendon Reiley McClendon (born Eric Reiley McClendon II; March 11, 1990) is an American actor. He has appeared on such television shows as ''Will & Grace'', ''Zoey 101'', and ''Medium'', as well as in Disney Channel films such as '' Eddie's Million Do ...

as Luke *

Charlie McDermott Charles Joseph McDermott Jr. (born April 6, 1990) is an American television and film actor, and musician, best known for his role as Axl Heck on ABC's '' The Middle''. He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male ...

as David Porter *

Cameron Monaghan Cameron Riley Monaghan (born ) is an American actor and model. He is known for his role as Ian Gallagher on the Showtime comedy-drama Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elem ...

as Larry Parker * Sam Jones III as Billy * Maitland McConnell as Charlotte * Jimmy Ortega as Sheriff

Reception

''Safe Harbor'' did moderately for Hallmark Channel at its premiere. The film was ranked among the top five for household and key demographics. It also ranked as the second highest-rated ad-supported cable movie of the day and fourth highest-rated of the week, delivering a 1.8 household rating with 1.5 million homes, over 2 million total viewers and 3.2 million unduplicated viewers. Reviews were moderately positive. The ''New York Daily News'' called it an expected delivery of "decent people, solid values, nda general sense that there's more good than bad in the world." It also called it "heartwarming". Laura Fries from ''Variety'' wrote She also states that "obstacles and resistance are too easily overcome" and that there are deep characterizations of "good" and "bad" people, but that the talent of the cast makes it almost believable.

References

External links

*
''Safe Harbor''
on Hallmark Channel's press site {{DEFAULTSORT:Safe Harbor (Film) 2009 television films 2009 films Hallmark Channel original films Films directed by Jerry Jameson Films scored by Bruce Broughton 2000s teen films American films based on actual events