Abc Afterschool Special Daddy's Girl

By TONY SCOTT

ABC Afterschool Special DADDY'S GIRL (Thurs. (18), 4-5 p.m., ABC) Filmed in Brooklyn by Allegra Films Inc. Exec producer, Eve Silverman; producers, Meredith Zamsky, Annina Levee; director, Diane Wynter; writer, Harriet A. Dickey.
 
Cast: Lauryn Hill, Barbara Montgomery, Elise Neal, Brenda Pressley, Sharif Rashed, Bo Rucker, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Kim Bey. Well-organized, touching drama about two kids whose dad ankled 10 years ago boasts primetime dynamics, polished perfs and Harriet A. Dickey's insightful script to carry it. Keenly directed by Diane Wynter, program's target is kids; it's almost too good for 'em.
 

Alicia (Elise Neal), 16, and younger brother Blake (Sharif Rashed) know nothing but what they remember about their long-gone dad, and hard-working, embittered Sheila (Brenda Pressley), their mom, not only won't discuss dad but is down about all men.

Alicia's cousin Zed (Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, in a glowing interp) is marrying Kevin (Ruben Santiago-Hudson); soon it'll be time for Alicia to marry, and she has no father to give her away, while Blake has no father (or male image) in the house to set examples for him.

The "Murphy Brown" pronouncements dim in the face of the hurt in Alicia's and Blake's eyes.

Their dad, Phillip (Bo Rucker), has moved back into town, and Alicia slips over to see him. It's a disappointing reunion, but the wedding's ahead and Sheila's persuasive mom Geneva (Barbara Montgomery) pours positive thoughts into the situation. Phillip's meeting with Blake, when the boy realizes whom he's talking with, is a poignant, effective moment.

Director Wynter wastes no time telling the story, and she sustains the sense of women leaning on women because the men are gone. Young Neal's Alicia is a quiet charmer, and Rashed's Blake is believable. Pressley's Sheila is loving and firm, and Montgomery's helpful Geneva is a joy. But it's Stickney's Zed, the bride-to-be, who glows in the bright, absorbing drama.

Tech credits are superior.

Camera, Daniel Shulman; editor, Sue Blainey; art director, Dave Reardon; sound, Rex Reckard; music, Stanley Jordan; production designer, Rowena Rowling; casting, Elissa Myers, John Fouquet.