The Brooke Ellison Story, 8 and 10 p.m., A&E.

Brooke Ellison's true-life story would be extraordinary no matter who was telling it. Here, however, it is in masterful hands.

Christopher Reeve directed what would be his final completed project before his death. He gives the film a tone of intelligent understatement. He also has a superb cast.

Ellison is played first by Vanessa Marano (as a cheery seventh-grader, suddenly paralyzed by a traffic accident) and then by Lacey Chabert (as a brainy student in high school, college and grad school). John Slattery is her dad, struggling with paperwork.

The star of the film, however, is Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Brooke's mom.

For 14 years, Jean Ellison has put her own life on hold while living and working with her daughter. This is a moving story, told with restraint and humanity by the talented Reeve and Mastrantonio.

Worth watching

The Swan season-opener, 8-10 p.m., Channels 19, 45. This show emerged as a ratings hit last season despite protests from critics. (It's nice to give people makeovers, we said, but cruel to then plunge them into elimination and a beauty pageant.) Now it's back; the two-hour opener also will revisit the women from last season.

The Benefactor, 8 p.m., Channels 9, 22. This show has stumbled in the ratings so it's being whisked to a quick conclusion. Mark Cuban decides who will win the $1 million.

Still Standing, 8 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Bill has been hiding the fact that he is a good cook.

Listen Up, 8:30 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Tony, the sports commentator, is stunned that his son is ready to skip a golf tournament so he can volunteer at the hospital.

Everybody Loves Raymond, 9 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Pausing for a week during what has been a terrific season, this show reruns an episode from last spring. Ray and Robert are stunned to learn that someone their age considers their dad a mentor.

Radio Music Awards, 9-11 p.m., Channels 5, 2. Molly Sims co-hosts with Carson Daly. That's logical enough because this live show is from Las Vegas and pre-empts her own show, Las Vegas. Scheduled performers include Destiny's Child, Nickelback, Chingy, Ashlee Simpson, Green Day, Alanis Morissette, Elton John, Train, Green Day and, from country, Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson and Big and Rich.

Two and a Half Men, 9:30 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Charlie finally confesses to a childhood misdeed to his brother.

CSI: Miami, 10 p.m., Channels 12, 7. This has to complicate a murder case: During the trial, someone kills the defendant.

First Lady: Public Expectations, Private Lives, 10 p.m., Channels 48, 16. This must be the week's hot subject. At 10 p.m. Friday, cable's A&E has its own version, All the President's Wives.