Before Women Had Wings

Before Women Had Wings is a 1997 television film, based on the story by Connie May Fowler about a mother whose abusive husband commits suicide, and she starts to violently abuse her two daughters. It is only then that a kindly woman becomes good friends with her youngest daughter, who therefore escapes the harsh realities of life. Life is hard for Avocet Abigale 'Bird' Jackson (Tina Majorino) and her sister Phoebe (Julia Stiles), constantly putting up with their parents arguments. Their father, Billy (John Savage) is always beating their mother Glory Marie (Ellen Barkin) and every time things seem to go right between Glory Marie and Billy, yet another argument begins. Unable to put up with it any longer Glory Marie tells Billy she's taking the girls and leaving him, he punches her and knocks her teeth out, then drives off in the car. Later that evening a policeman (David Hart) shows up at the door to tell them that Billy has killed himself. Set on starting a new life Glory Marie takes...