Review of Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway

The 1970's were a truly amazing time for "made for TV" movies. Some of the most powerful, gritty and shocking stuff came out of this decade. Who can ever forget Linda Blair in "Born Innocent," the brutal tale of an innocent young runaway, corrupted by the system which was supposed to protect her? Not to mention that shocking toilet plunger rape scene, something that would never see the light of day in these PC times. Films like "Death of Richie," about the teenage boy whose manic depression makes him turn to drugs, and destroy his life in the process. As powerful today, as it was 30 years ago. Unfortunately, "Dawn" is not one of those special films. It is hampered by too much melodrama, and Eve Plumb's atrocious performance, as the teen runaway, who changes from innocent girl to hardened hustler in the blink of an eye. The story is bland, and has been told so much better before. Most importantly, films like "Born Innocent" pulled no punches, and refused to cop out with the traditional and unrealistic "happy ending." "Dawn" leaves one with the false message that everything always turns out OK in the end, when this is rarely the case. Still this is worth a watch for the nostalgia quality. The classic scenes of a Hollywood Blvd. that no longer exists, the 70's fashions, the Runaways song "Cherry Bomb," etc. Hell, its worth the price of admission to see Jan Brady turning tricks! Just don't expect to be emotionally blown away by this standard TV movie.