Consenting Adult is a 1985 American drama television film directed by Gilbert Cates, from a teleplay by John McGreevey, based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Laura Z. Hobson. The film stars Marlo Thomas, Martin Sheen, and Barry Tubb and follows a teenage boy revealing to his parents that he is gay.
Tess and Ken Lynd have been together for 26 years and share two children. Margie, their oldest, is married to Nate, and recently found out that she is pregnant. The youngest child Jeff is off for college and heads the university's swim team. Jeff has had a strained relationship with his parents, especially his father, with whom he constantly argued over trivial matters. One day, Tess receives a letter from her son asking her to contact him. They meet in his university town, where Jeff tells her that he is homosexual. While Tess applauds his bravery, she has trouble processing the news, and the next day contacts her doctor, Mark Waldo, to inquire about any counseling possibilities to "show Jeff that he is mistaken." She contacts psychiatrist Dr. Daniels in Seattle, who shares her view that homosexuality is an illness. He tells her that 25% of his patients have returned to heterosexuality after sessions with him. Later, she informs Ken about their son's situation, and he bursts into tears.
During a session with the psychiatrist, Jeff reveals that he has been struggling with his sexual orientation for over seven years. Dissatisfied with the sessions, Jeff returns home to see his family, but Ken is not ready to see him and avoids him. Jeff goes to dinner with his mom to discuss his homosexuality. He tells her that he has tried being with girls but does not feel anything romantic, unlike what he feels about a guy on his swim team. Later that night, Tess blasts Ken for avoiding Jeff, but Ken tells her that he simply cannot agree with his son's lifestyle, criticizing liberalism and calling homosexuality "unnatural." Jeff starts to realize that his father does not want to see him and angrily leaves.
While on his way back to his college, he meets Hank, a man in a diner, who flirts with him. Hank offers him a drive and Jeff nervously accepts. When Hank makes a move, Jeff initially refuses, but eventually gives in.
Jeff returns home for Christmas, and tries to be romantic with his neighbor Sue, but quickly realizes that he has no interest in her. He then tells his parents that he has stopped treatment with Dr. Daniels, as he does not believe that his sexual orientation is a disease. During their confrontation, Jeff criticizes his parents for trying to remain in the closet and reveals that he has been sexually involved with men. Ken reaches his boiling point and cuts Jeff off financially.
Somewhat later, Jeff witnesses gay bashing in a diner and raises his voice to the offenders. Later he comes out of the closet to his roommate and best friend Pete. Pete calls Jeff out for deceiving him and makes several homophobic remarks, prompting Jeff to move out and move in with his new boyfriend Stu.
Suddenly, Ken dies from a stroke. After his funeral, Tess hands Jeff a letter written by his father in which he opens up about his struggle of trying to accept his son's homosexuality. He has written that he is not ready to embrace his lifestyle, but does not intend on giving up his son. Tess tells her friend Claire that she has accepted her son, but does not want to share or witness his lifestyle. In the end, still struggling to cope, she calls her son and tells him she loves him.
Cast
Marlo Thomas as Tess Lynd
Martin Sheen as Ken Lynd
Barry Tubb as Jeff Lynd
Talia Balsam as Margie
Ben Piazza as Dr. Mark Waldo
John Terlesky as Pete Roberts
Corinne Camacho as Claire
Matthew Laurance as Nate
Joseph Adams as Stu
Richard Sargent as Pat Malone