TV REVIEWS : ‘Love Off Limits’ Targets Intolerance

Hatred and intolerance are targeted in “Love Off Limits,” a thoughtful, nuanced “CBS Schoolbreak Special” about freedom of expression, airing today at 3 p.m. (Channels 2 and 8).

The plot centers around a high school student film exploring the concepts of marriage and love, which makes the finals of a statewide competition but provokes concern from school board chief Ben Kane (John Savage).

Kane’s objections include interviews in the film with a gay couple, an unmarried mother, talk about premarital sex and certain historical references. He states his case reasonably: He wants to avoid negative reaction that might cost the district funding. It’s a fine film, he tells Jack and Sarah, the two student filmmakers (John Rowe and Sabrina Lloyd). Just trim it.

There’s no question that writer Bruce Harmon endorses a free exchange of ideas and differing points of view as weapons against ignorance and fear. But Harmon doesn’t paint the issue as black and white, and neither does Steve Guttenberg, making a sure-handed directorial debut here.