This is the usual made for TV staple about a mother who fears being left alone if her daughter leaves. She does everything in her power to scupper her daughters love life to stop this happening.

The plot is simple and as in most of these kind of movies you can guess what is going to happen. However that doesn't stop this being an enjoyable if undemanding film to watch. I thought all the actors did a good job even if the mother played by Gwynyth Walsh was a little bit too obviously insane. Nicholle Tom is charming and believable as the daughter.

Although predictable Maternal Obsession holds your attention and it made me want to find out how it would end. The ending is maybe a bit of a let down but for fans of TV movies this is worth watching, although if you expect too much you will be disappointed.

"Her Only Child" (a.k.a., "Maternal Obsession") has the feel of a real-life story. The realism was never in doubt in the portrayal of the overly dependent mother Inez Stanler on her conflicted daughter Lily.

The structure of the film is economical with the overwhelming emphasis on the mother-daughter scenes and those of the new man in Lily's life, Larry Nowack. Inez had been instrumental in sabotaging her daughter's previous romantic relationships with Johnny and Michael, in one instance, hiring thugs to administer a savage beating to persuade Michael Benton to stop seeing Lily. Will she now repeat the pattern with Larry?

The performances was first-rate, including the entirely credible mother in the grip of prescription drug addiction and dependency issues. But the film really belongs to the sensitive Lily, who finds it difficult to say "no" to her mother or to take a leap by moving out of her mother's home to lead a more independent life. Nicholle Tom was successful in capturing the mental tug-of-war that was preventing Lily from breaking free of here mother who would relentless cling to her.

The filmmakers took some risks in relying essentially on the triangle of Inez, Lily, and Larry to carry the film. Despite the limitations, a brisk pace was maintained due to the psychological nuances in the character interactions, as well as a genuine interior conflict of Lily. In the end, she could only move forward with a declaration of her autonomy from a loving but damaged parent.