The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2008
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
6.6| 1h30m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 12 April 2008 Released
Producted By: Jaffe/Braunstein Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

During a blizzard in 1964, Dr. David Henry delivers his son Paul with the help of nurse Caroline. But when Henry realizes his wife is also carrying a girl with Down syndrome, he hands the second child over to Caroline without his wife's knowledge. Henry's fateful decision yields grave consequences for his family over the next 20 years.

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SnoopyStyle It's 1964 in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. David Henry (Dermot Mulroney) drive his pregnant wife Norah (Gretchen Mol) to the hospital. He and nurse Caroline Gil (Emily Watson) deliver healthy son Paul. They are surprised by twin Phoebe who turns out to have Down Syndrome. He lies to Norah that she died and gives the baby to nurse Gil. He instructs Gil to put her in an institution expecting her to die but Gil decides to raise the baby herself due to witnessing the draconian conditions.It's a Lifetime TV movie. It tackles an interesting subject and a girl with Down Syndrome gets to act. These are solid actors but the story doesn't have enough tension. I don't find the Henrys that compelling. Their part of the story feels meandering. I like Gil's side better but that isn't the most dramatic either. I would rather have a bigger time skip like 12 years later. The story could easily pick up when the two sides reconnect. It's more compelling that way because the danger of discovery is heightened.
jlthornb51 This is a beautifully made film and one of the most moving ever made due to an absolutely fantastic performance by the great actress Emily Watson. She is superb in this role and it is indeed another performance of a lifetime. Watson's powerful work in this motion picture is made electric by her simple beauty and mesmerizing eyes, eyes that say more in a glance than 50 pages of dialog. She is truly one of the great gifts to the screen and the camera loves her. Recognized as one of the finest actors of our time, Emily Watson proves once again and beyond any doubt with this performance that her talents are beyond description.
janed74 I watched this by chance while channel surfing the TV, due to being fond of the actors Emily Watson and Dermott Mulroney. The story and characters develop slowly, but it was really well done so I kept watching. I can't imagine how I would react in the same situation but you can understand Pauls decision. The actors gave their characters compassion and sensitivity, the music was lovely, and storyline excellent and well developed. I would recommend the movie. YOu could say the main character was fighting his demons, and harboring secrets from his lovely wife,but this is never a good idea, as they fall apart eventually.
David Traversa Yes I loved it. I picked it up (the film) just because Emily Watson was in it. I haven't seen many of her pictures, maybe 4 or 5, but then, they were all very good films, and I consider her such a fine actress that to see her name prompted my decision to rent this film. I suppose that after 30 films or so where she has been appearing, the fact that she is no beauty queen, made her come to her senses and realize that the best action for her in the movies was to be a natural, plain, excellent actress (my speculation, probably not hers). She bet on that and she won. I'm sure she worked more than many pretty faces known today forgotten tomorrow. This film is excellent. Everything in it works --I just found out that it was a made for TV production, a thing I never noticed while watching it (another point for never reading reviews before watching a movie). From the acting to the technical, no complains. The plot touches on a very delicate subject and it treats it superbly well. The unfolding of the original problem grows more and more out of any possible previous consideration, as much as a snowball rolls down the hill gathering more snow and becoming so huge that eventually will crush against the first firm obstacle in its way, as it was the case in this poignant story. The last scene is an overwhelming tear jerker, but then, a high class one, perfectly suited as a conclusion to the whole movie. Do not miss it!!