Originally telecast on
The Disney Sunday Movie, A Fighting Choice stars
Patrick Dempsey as an epileptic teen suffering from grand mal seizures. When the possibility arises that an experimental form of brain surgery may alleviate his agony, Dempsey wants to go for it. His parents (
Beau Bridges and
Karen Valentine were playing parents by 1986) are terrified that the operation will fail, and refuse permission. Dempsey is persistent, taking his case all the way to court. A few too many punches are pulled for
Fighting Choice to be any more than a standard "disease of the week" TV movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide