Bradley played Michael Barth
in the TV movie Cries from the Heart. It starred
Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert. This movie has three
different titles, but it is the same movie. The first title
in 1994 was Cries from the Heart, also known in 1994
as Touch of Truth. In 1997, it was called, The
Client: Cries from the Heart.
This was the TV Guide ad for
the movie Cries from the Heart. The movie originally
aired on October 16, 1994.
In this movie Bradley plays
Michael Barth, an autistic boy that goes to live at a
boarding school for children with special needs. They teach
him things that will help him grow up and live independently
in the "real" world.
Michael's mom took him to the
school to drop him off. She gave him a hug and and said she
would be back to visit him real soon.
This type of affection
(touching, hugging or kissing) is rare in a child with
autism. The teacher that was watching the two say goodbye
noticed how Michael returned his mother's affection.
Terry, Michael's day teacher
was trying to get him to see the ball and point to the
picture of the ball. Once Michael learned how to do that, he
would have a way to communicate what he wanted.
Michael went home for his
first visit since moving to the boarding school. His mom was
so excited to see her son.
Michael went to the restroom
all by himself, and his dad called him a big boy. Michael
came over to greet his father.
The next morning at home with
mom, Michael woke up and wanted to make breakfast. He made
beanie weanies. His mom was so proud because Michael did it
all by himself.
Michael wasn't being himself
when he got back to the boarding school. Terry was ready to
teach him, but he was crying and acting very upset. His
first night back at school Jeff molested Michael. But no one
knew why Michael was so upset.
Terry asked Michael if he was
having a bad day. He started to cry, but he couldn't
communicate to Terry what happened the night before.
Terry decided that Michael
could find a voice in a computer, using a technique called
facilitated communication. She would need to teach him to
type first. She sat and worked with him most of the next
day. He wasn't typing much.
Michael's mom came in to visit
Michael even though she didn't call ahead of time, like she
had agreed too. Terry went over to talk with her and told
her all about the computer and how she was teaching him to
use it.
Terry walked over and told
Michael to show his mom how he could type. He typed "hi
mom." It was the first real thing that Michael typed. His
mom was so proud and told Terry "You found him."
After a few days of working
with Michael, Terry got him to talk to her through the
computer about everything and anything. Terry then asked
"What makes you so upset?" Michael typed "Keep Jeff away."
Jeff was Michael's live-in care person.
Terry asked "What do you
mean?" Michael typed "Sex, sex." Then Terry realized what
was going on and so did the head director who was watching
Michael type.
Michael's parents were called
right away and were told what was going on. They were very
upset by the news.
Michael went over to the
computer and typed "I shame." Both Terry and his mom
reassured him that it was not his fault. Michael's mom
wanted to take him home. She didn't want him in the boarding
school anymore. Michael went back over to the computer and
typed "I stay." He wanted to stay and finish school.
Terry talked with Michael
after his parents left. She thanked him for his trust in
her.
Michael then showed affection
toward Terry for the first time.
The police were called in and
charges were filed against Jeff. Frank, one of the
detectives, came and spoke with Michael. He went out on the
playground where Michael was and got on the swing next to
Michael. Swinging was one of Michael's favorite things to
do.
Frank then went inside with
Terry and Michael and questioned Michael about Jeff. He
asked Michael where he was when Jeff touched him. Michael
typed "bathroom."
Michael had to testify against
Jeff. He was very afraid of all the people in the courtroom.
Michael testifed with Terry
helping him. She held up the board with yes and no on it and
Michael pointed to one or the other. She also had him type
some answers.
Michael's mom told him that
the jury believed him and that Jeff was going away for a
long time. Michael typed "We Won." Then he hugged his mom.
Bradley did a great job in
this movie. It was one of his largest roles at the time.
Since then, he has gone on to make many movies and T.V.
shows. He is almost always the main character in the movies,
or at least has a lead role. He is an exceptional actor for
his age.
