Stepmom (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Stepmom', directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire), isn't the bravest or most affecting movie you'll ever see. And yet, whatever the case may be, whatever the reason, the time, the place, the mood, the correlation to aspects of my own life ... I simply adored this movie. The plot: Luke (Ed Harris) is a successful businessman whose busy travel schedule was a major reason for the end of his 1st marriage. Isabel (Julia Roberts) is his new, fresh, cute, & much younger girlfriend (30 yrs. old-ish); and she's just moved in with him. His ex, Jackie (Susan Sarandon) can't stand Isabel, & the 2 children she shares with Luke, Anna & Ben (Jena Malone, Liam Aiken), side with mom. How could it be any other way, right?
Isabel tries. She tries hard. But she can't seem to get through to the kids. Using everything she knows to win them over, they only seem to recoil more so. But just when you think that this will be the never-ending fate of these 5 people, 3 things occur which throws things out of whack. Firstly, Luke asks Isabel to marry him. That goes over really well for Jackie & the kids (sarcasm). Secondly, Isabel starts to make some headway with the kids. And thirdly, Jackie learns that the potentially-fatal cancer that she once had is back; she's kept it secret from everyone. And with this 3rd bit of news, it's up to all 5 of them to find a way to get along. Relationships must be established and/or repaired in order for everyone to thrive as a family in the future.
I'm a child of divorced parents. Luckily for me, relationships btwn. my father, mother & stepmom have gone reasonably well. And I love my stepmom to death. That said, there are themes present throughout this film that are extremely familiar; and I think they are nailed. Whether it's in moments of humor (lots of it) or heart-rending emotion, I was moved deeply; there are no cheap sentiments. The plot is standard, the execution is standard, the dialogue (often cliched) is standard ... but the poignancy of the topic, and the ensemble acting reallllly makes the film shine. Julia Roberts brings an earthiness to the role of Isabel. I found her very relatable. Very familiar. Funny. And she's just an absolute pleasure to watch.
Susan Sarandon is excellent as the scorned wife who tries to bury her pain with sarcasm, jabs & wit. And her scenes with the kids (near the end) are staggeringly effective. Ed Harris is alternately likeable & dislikeable in the dad-who's-moved-on role. But it's a very realistic portrayal. And the child actors are great, as well. 'Stepmom' does push manipulative buttons (so to speak) to bring out the utmost in laughter & tears. There are crescendos of emotions everywhere. But it works, overall. The movie conveys the many difficulties inherent in step-family relationships (the judgments, mistakes, joys, sadness, jealousies, & betrayals). I love these types of movies when they're executed with superior acting & genuine examples of humanity.
Isabel tries. She tries hard. But she can't seem to get through to the kids. Using everything she knows to win them over, they only seem to recoil more so. But just when you think that this will be the never-ending fate of these 5 people, 3 things occur which throws things out of whack. Firstly, Luke asks Isabel to marry him. That goes over really well for Jackie & the kids (sarcasm). Secondly, Isabel starts to make some headway with the kids. And thirdly, Jackie learns that the potentially-fatal cancer that she once had is back; she's kept it secret from everyone. And with this 3rd bit of news, it's up to all 5 of them to find a way to get along. Relationships must be established and/or repaired in order for everyone to thrive as a family in the future.
I'm a child of divorced parents. Luckily for me, relationships btwn. my father, mother & stepmom have gone reasonably well. And I love my stepmom to death. That said, there are themes present throughout this film that are extremely familiar; and I think they are nailed. Whether it's in moments of humor (lots of it) or heart-rending emotion, I was moved deeply; there are no cheap sentiments. The plot is standard, the execution is standard, the dialogue (often cliched) is standard ... but the poignancy of the topic, and the ensemble acting reallllly makes the film shine. Julia Roberts brings an earthiness to the role of Isabel. I found her very relatable. Very familiar. Funny. And she's just an absolute pleasure to watch.
Susan Sarandon is excellent as the scorned wife who tries to bury her pain with sarcasm, jabs & wit. And her scenes with the kids (near the end) are staggeringly effective. Ed Harris is alternately likeable & dislikeable in the dad-who's-moved-on role. But it's a very realistic portrayal. And the child actors are great, as well. 'Stepmom' does push manipulative buttons (so to speak) to bring out the utmost in laughter & tears. There are crescendos of emotions everywhere. But it works, overall. The movie conveys the many difficulties inherent in step-family relationships (the judgments, mistakes, joys, sadness, jealousies, & betrayals). I love these types of movies when they're executed with superior acting & genuine examples of humanity.