A Sensitive, Passionate Man (1977) Online

A searing portrait of alcoholism. I haven't ever seen a movie quite like this. An unsparing, brutal look at middle-class alcoholism and it's effects on life, job, loved ones, health, etc.

David Janssen plays an Aerospace Engineer who loses his job. He, obviously, gains his self-worth from his job, and now, he is pretty much adrift. He treats his pain with old reliable, alcohol. This time, however, he has no career to prop him up. His slow sink into alcohol devastation is played out slowly and painfully. The effect on his wife (Angie Dickinson) and his kids is heartbreaking, and very difficult to watch.

This is a movie with no happy endings, but is a fascinating and honest (for its day) look at the ugly, underside of alcoholism.

Remarkable performances by Janssen and Dickinson. An overlooked gem.

As a late comer fan of David Janssen's, I been looking for some time for this film and finally found it-- "A Sensitive, Passionate Man"-- for sale on the Internet.

I almost wish I hadn't. The acting by Janssen is almost too believable and I was quite unsettled by the whole story. My late husband was an alcoholic and some of the scenes were just so true to life that it brought up memories that were painfully familiar.

For its time, it was a very good portrayal of a subject that wasn't dealt with openly in society. Folks didn't really understanding that alcoholism is a disease, not a character flaw. Unfortunately, as in the film, sometimes the patient is lost. I watched my husband die of problems related to drinking and the final scene was almost more than I could personally take.

For Janssen fans, it is also notable that he helped write the title song for the film!

As A child of alcoholics, and a recovering alcoholic myself, David's performance is riveting, and extremely difficult for me to watch. Although my father did not die of this hideous disease, many of the behaviors that Janssen portrays hit the bullseye . It is a gut- wrenching performance -- one of his best. Dickenson's portrayal as the anguished wife with two children to protect was right on. I call it a movie ahead of its time.

As an adjunct, it is heart-breaking that David was, himself, addicted to alcohol and unable to look deeper within himself to stop his addiction, which almost certainly contributed to his premature death.

"My Sensitive, Passionate Man" was originally an NBC TV movie, released in 1977. I have a video of this movie (released in 1994) retitled "Hooked." The video is trimmed down to 90 minutes, leaving two key scenes out. The first scene is Janssen tossing Dickinson into their pool, during one of his drunken stupors, while having a party. The following scene was cut as well. It's where the couple are having a heart-to-heart talk & she tells him how much he means to her, & expresses that she's his 'best friend' (this aided in character development). The video is not edited very well. They also had the nerve to put the "Retail" price of $59.95 on the box!!! Aside from the video's shortcomings, this is a compelling story of an alcoholic's downfall & the effects it has on him & his family. Angie Dickinson leaves her saucey Pepper Anderson ("Police Woman") persona aside to play a devoted housewife, & mom to two boys. David Janssen plays her tortured soul/boozehound husband who gives up on life after he's fired from his job in aerospace. He refuses to seek other employment or get long term help for his alcoholism. He's supposed to be 42 years old, but looks about 52 (I don't know if this was intentional but it works in this movie, showing what alcohol abuse can do to someone). In one scene he slaps her, but he's really the one you want to see smacked across the face & knocked some sense into! You know his character is sick, yet he's so obnoxious, pompous, & unlikable it's hard to really feel sympathy for him. (Also,much of Janssen's dialog is mumbled, which can get annoying). It's Angie & their sons you feel bad for. Angie Dickinson is very good in this film. She's a sexy forty-something & looks great! The two kids who play their sons are also good. This was unusual for the 70's because so many child actors were horrible, or annoying (remember Quinn Cummings & Glenn Scarpelli?!) I recommend this movie if you like thought provoking dramas about family life & relationships. (The theme song, sung by Melba Moore & released as a single, is also memorable).

I remember seeing the original broadcast of this made for TV movie at the age of about 25 in the late seventies and finding it well above average in every way one with an appetite for much beyond mindless nonsense might wish for in passing prime time, and since then have enjoyed reruns of A Sensitive Passionate Man at least once or twice and probably will again if the opportunity arises conveniently. My only problem with this story is its title, because most guys would probably feel uncomfortable reciting those words to describe a good show they experienced about a hardcore alcoholic and his otherwise reasonably successful family life. So my main suggestion would be to warn anyone against neglecting this fine film on that basis alone because you definitely will be missing something very special. David Janssen and Angie Dickenson both give very moving, unschmaltzy performances complemented by a capable cast of believable supporting players including the children victimized by this suburban American tragedy.

Perhaps this telefilm was so good because of David Janssen's own battles with alcohol that, within three years would play a role in taking his own life. Janssen was always an underrated actor, but this was the defining role of a highly successful television career.

In the picture, Janssen plays an unemployed aerospace engineer who has lost his zest for life and finds solace in the bottle. While the audience wants to scream at the character for giving up when he was so much to live for... a sexy wife (Angie Dickinson), a nice home and two great kids, the character simply cannot see what he has to live for. This, and Janssen's performance, are the primary reasons for the quality of this film.

Janssen, in particular, is dynamite in the tragic story. He looks older than the character is supposed to be and his boozy dialogue is delivered perfectly. One scene, in particular stands out. After a while on the wagon, Janssen convinces Dickinson that it's okay to have a little cooking wine. You know the rest.

A heartbreaking story of a man with everything to live for, but who is too blind to see it and simply cannot imagine his life without alcohol. Janssen is riveting.

It's fascinating to look back almost thirty years to see the way male and female roles were handled at the time, both on screen and in real life. This arresting TV-movie examines a marriage that starts out as loving and solid, but is undone by the demon of alcoholism. Doubtless, the fact that this was adapted from a book aided the film-makers in presenting a solid story with plenty of detail. Janssen and Dickinson play an upper middle-class couple with two young sons who enjoy an almost idyllic existence of tennis, cocktail parties and family life in their attractive home. Unfortunately, Dickinson begins to notice that Janssen has trouble putting the bottle down. He has even begun to slip booze into his breakfast regimen. His slide into alcoholism is puzzling since they seem to be leading a charmed and fulfilled life and are surrounded by adoring friends. Dickinson knows that there's real trouble when she accidentally discovers the reason behind Janssen's despair, but she's practically powerless to do anything about it. Everywhere she turns, she's either pooh-poohed, discounted or dismissed thanks to her reduced social and legal standing as a housewife, making it extremely difficult for her to correct the situation or even to extricate her and her children from it! Meanwhile, what started for Janssen as a destructive habit has now morphed into a life-threatening illness. Dickinson, an actress who was often noted more for her fairly wooden performances and stellar legs in the 50's and 60's really rises to the occasion here. She convincingly portrays the concern, despair and heartbreak of watching a loved one unravel, yet never loses her attractiveness. Janssen is extremely authentic (perhaps too authentic, considering the way he was rumored to imbibe in real life) and his scenes are difficult to endure at times. This was a physically, as well as emotionally, challenging role for him. The viewer knows what he needs and knows where he's headed, but, like Dickinson, can only stand by and watch. This couple has tremendous chemistry and commitment to the work. Potentially amusing scenes such as Dickinson being knocked into the pool while wearing a flowy 70's top or Janssen rolling around on the floor or the ground retain their horror thanks to the earnestly sober work by the pair. Even so, Dickinson is able to slip in a tiny bit of jaded humor as in her handling of an amorous garage mechanic. Mostly, though, the film consists of increasingly tense episodes allayed occasionally by peaceful plateaus. This is not an easy film to watch as there is a sense of drowning or dread hanging over it. It pulls no punches and refuses to sugar coat the situation. This only makes it's message more powerful. It's important to note that the makers didn't dream up some perky, bright ending. Several seasoned TV actors round out the cast such as Venture and Costello as married friends of the couple whose assistance can only stretch so far. Playing Janssen's secretary is Princi, who would later forge a career in daytime television, most notably as a replacement Dorian Lord on "One Life to Live". Unfortunately, Emmy voters couldn't find spots for the deserving leads in the 1978 ceremony. They both deserved at least nominations.

Angie Dickenson and David Jannsen, along with supporting actors, were at their best in "A Sensitive Passionate Man."

I have often wondered why the TV networks do not run more of Janssen's films.

I'm middle aged and I remember as a little boy my "first TV series" with the original "Fugitive" with Janssen.

Contrast TV network "programming" today with what it was in the 1960's and 1970s and I'll go back in time, even with "fewer channels" and even some black and white of the mid-1960's.

Today, I am going to turn off the satellite dish and save $700 a year ($14,000.00 over 20 years.) What isn't garbage has seven and eight commercials at a time. The very few TV shows worth watching break up several times with seven or eight commercials and I sit there and wonder what it was I was even watching.

I have recently purchased several DVD's---no commercials---and one was "A Sensitive Passionate Man."

When I turn off the satellite TV at the end of this month, that will give me $70 a month to buy such DVD's with and I can watch what I want, when I want, without long, long commercial breaks.

I believe the TV, cable and satellite industries are making huge mistakes today. Viewership in down. Maybe many people are on the internet as I am now.

People who watched TV in the 60's and 70's remember LOCAL TV programming where there were actual local hosts on TV in local markets.

We had "Bob Hope" specials, Ed Sullivan who gave us a variety of talent, etc.

In my mind, TV, cable and satellite have been ruined by GREED. I began this article about "A Sensitive Passionate Man." This is what got me off on the topic of the waste of today's TV, generally speaking. There may be a few exceptions.

Give me the shows of the 60s and 70s---with far less "technical" improvements, and I will give you everything that is on cable and satellite TV today.

Bring back Angie Dickenson and David Janssen type acting and fare.

Bill Histed

Found myself looking around in a discount store and found a DVD of this film and being a big fan of Angie Dickiinson and David Janssen, I just had to view this film. Angie plays the role as Margie Delaney,"Dressed to Kill",'80, who is a wife to David Janssen,(Michael Delaney)"The Green Berets",'68 is in the Space Program and a perfectionist in his field and very highly paid; besides the fact that he has a Phd after his name. Michael does not want his wife to work and has two young boys who simply adore their father and mother. This family is the envy of all their neighbors and they give plenty of parties all of the time. As the film progresses, I noticed a great deal of drinking going on and sometimes in the Orange Juice in the AM. Michael starts drinking heavily and on one can figure out the reason for his change in character. This should give you some clue as to what the film is somewhat about, but there is a great deal more. I really think Michael needed to get into a good Rehabilitation program.

David Janssen life was that of a very sad Hollywood star. Although very successful and incredibly talented, he also had a major problem with alcohol that most likely led to his death...at only 48, though he looked far, far older (I would have guessed he looked about 60 in this movie). Ironically, here just three years before his death, Janssen stars as a man struggling with alcoholism! Essentially, he's playing, at least in part, himself...which is tremendously sad.

The story is about the Delaney Family. Michael (David Janssen) works as an aerospace engineer--not a particularly good industry during the late 70s. After all, there were a lot of cutbacks in the space program following the end of the Apollo missions. Not surprisingly, he's laid off from his very high paying job but instead of telling his family he pretends to be going to work each day. Eventually his wife finds out and the secret is out. But instead of pushing him to finally looking for work he increasingly sits around drinking. And the more he drinks the more violent, nasty and unpredictable he becomes. The film follows his progression into alcoholism as well as it's devastating impact on the family. In particular, it focuses on the wife (Angie Dickinson) as she vacillates between enabling him and just wanting to get out and protect herself and the children. This was, incidentally, one of her best acting performances.

I appreciate how this film is an unflinching view of alcoholism. It doesn't paint a magical picture of redemption like you see in "The Lost Weekend" and many other films about addiction. Instead, it's just awful and stays awful--making it a very tough film to watch but also making it realistic and a public service. It also shows what life was like when treatment facilities were practically nonexistent and AA and counseling was about your only option...an option Michael refuses to take seriously. Well worth seeing despite its awfulness. Also a great film to show to someone who really needs to see what alcoholism really looks like. It certainly pulls no punches.

By the way, another similar sort of film I heartily recommend is "Days of Wine and Roses"--either the original television teleplay or the more famous 1960s movie with Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. Very unpleasant as well...but very truthful and blunt in its depiction of addiction.

Regret can't really watch films about alcoholism, Angie Dickinson's presence notwithstanding. And poor David Janssen, long one of my favourite TV actors, looked old and tired by this time.

This film displays the complete and utter ineptitude of the psychiatrist "Dr. Lazerbow" in dealing with an alcoholic patient. The role was played by Richard Bull, a very fine actor. I am surprised that he didn't research his part better. He tells "Margie" that "I can't force him to go to A.A." but fails to tell her about Alanon which could have helped HER deal with Dr. Delany's disease. Little is mentioned of the detox center where he spent 30 days, mandatory daily A.A. meetings have traditionally been a fixture of rehab units. So, we can safely assume that he was exposed to A.A. doctrine and somehow rejected it and its program of recovery. That is where there is a GIANT HOLE in this film. After 30 days of treatment he returns actually WORSE than before? That doesn't happen in real life. But, then again; this is just a movie about a tragic disease affecting an 'all-American" type family in a tragic way with a tragic alcoholic death that was PREVENTABLE.

It is tremendously ironic that David Janssen died 3 years later of complications from alcoholism. I guess playing in this film didn't do him much good.