‘Clover’ Stands Above Usual Usa Fare
USA’s “Clover” at 9 is a sentimental drama with a premise that grabs your attention, not to mention your heart.
Sara Kate (Elizabeth McGovern) marries widower Gaten Hill (Ernie Hudson). She’s white; he’s black and the father of a young daughter, Clover (Zelda Harris).
Gaten is killed in a car accident on the night of the wedding.
Sara Kate, estranged from her family, is left to care for Clover in the Southern community where the Hill kin (played by an outstanding ensemble of actors and actresses) has operated a peach farm for generations.
They didn’t approve of the marriage. And they don’t care for the idea of a white woman raising Clover.
Especially resentful is Clover’s aunt Everleen (Loretta Devine), who dislikes whites in general.
The plot is mucked up a bit when Gaten begins appearing as a spirit, first to Clover and eventually to Sara Kate. It’s quite touching, initially.
But the device becomes tedious, like too-rich frosting on an otherwise moist and flavorful cake.
The acting compensates for the distraction, with Harris contributing a credible and evocative performance. Throughout the movie you can see anger building that she expresses only by acting out.
When the rage reaches the surface, Harris makes you believe it’s for real.
“Clover” continues USA’s effort to produce smart, inviting movies that offset its often-tacky original thrillers.
Highlights
“She Cried No” (1996), NBC at 8: Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”) plays a college freshman raped by a frat-rat played by cast-against-type Mark-Paul Gosselaar (“Saved by the Bell”). Dreadful was one of the words I used to describe it the first time around.
“Beverly Hills, 90210,” FOX at 8: The eighth-season premiere is a two-hour-long episode set in Hawaii, where Donna (Tori Spelling) is working on a photo shoot. Hilary Swank joins the cast as a single mom with a 6-year-old son whom Steve (Ian Zeiring) meets at a soccer game.
Valerie (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen) also finds romance with a new character, Noah Hunter (Vincent Young).
“Presumed Innocent,” CBS at 8:30: Harrison Ford stars in the Scott Turow suspenser about a lawyer wrongly accused of murder. Repeat.
“PrimeTime Live,” ABC at 10: Diane Sawyer returns for another visit with the Dilley sextuplets, now 4 years old.
Parents’ Pick
“The Inventors’ Specials,” HBO at 7: “Leonardo: A Dream of Flight” is the latest of the series’ fanciful and inspiring short fictions in which children cross paths with great inventors. This time, an 11-year-old lad (David Felton) becomes friends with Leonardo da Vinci (Brent Carver), sharing his dream of flying.
In the background is a brewing war between Italy and France.
Cable Calls
“The Crash of 2000: A CNET Special Report,” SCI at 4 and 8: Will a software bug cause computers to crash after midnight on Dec. 31, 1999? This hour from “CNET Central” examines the potential disaster that could cost billions to avert.
“Austin Stories,” MTV at 10:30: Filmed in the Texas capital, this weekly series is MTV’s first live-action sitcom. It follows the work, dating and relationship experiences of three people: Laura, Howard and Chip, played by Laura House, Howard Kremer and Brad “Chip’ Pope. Unavailable for review.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Michael Douglas, Laura San Giacomo (“Just Shoot Me”) and musical group The Wilsons.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Noah Wyle (“ER”), actor-comedian Damon Wayans and rapper Missy Elliott.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Tia Carrere, Shelley Winters and American Family Values President Ezola Foster.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Satirist-filmmaker Michael Moore.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Robert Wuhl (“Arliss”) and daredevil Evel Knievel.