What Makes a Family

2001 "Based on the controversial true story"
What Makes a Family
6.5| 2h0m| en| More Info
Released: 22 January 2001 Released
Producted By: Lifetime
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Janine and Sandy are a lesbian couple who decide to have a baby, but after a few years Sandy dies. This tragedy is exploited by Sandy's parents to snatch the girl from Janine's care. But then, and despite having the laws against her, Janine decides to fight in order to regain custody of her daughter.

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Reviews

mischam76 what a difference a great script and direction can do to a persons acting abilities.Brooke shields was absolutely amazing.for someone of her credible stature she certainly carried this film from beginning to end with gusto.not to mention the performance from cherry Jones.why don't we see these woman in more dramatic roles. its hard to believe that this was a made for t.v film as it may well be the most entertaining one i have ever seen,so much that i purchased it off ebay. the whole film in its entirety is well paced,well written and definitely tugs at you long after you have watched it. highly recommended as a powerful movie of morals and integrity and an opportunity to see Brooke show what she is capable of.
TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews Considering that this is a made-for-TV movie, it's actually very good. A few of the actors are well-known, but most are not. They all portray the respective character believably though, I especially think that Brooke Shields & Jordy Benattar gives excellent performances; even Whoopi Goldberg did a great job. The plot is touching and interesting, and moves along at a pretty good rate. The acting is, like I mentioned a few lines up, very good, mostly. A few scenes seemed a little overly sentimental or less-than-fortunately acted, but that's only reasonably rarely, and it rarely ruins the mood. The characters were all well-written and, considering their respective personalities, they all act understandably for the entire movie. I really enjoyed the last few court scenes in the movie, and the moral questions they brought up. The entire movie presented the different moral questions very well, and really made you think. Unfortunately, it would seem that this movie, probably due to it being a TV movie, isn't very well-known, which is too bad, since it's actually very well-made for a TV movie. An excellent drama, that raises some very important questions. I recommend this to anyone who like dramas, especially dramas that pose such important moral questions. 8/10
ledhead200 Personally, i felt sorry for the real people who the film was based on because the film was a heap of sentimental drivel which seems to be the central ingredient for all tv movies. I found the whole thing thoroughly upsetting as it showed that americans cant make a movie based on fact without overloading on the sugar cue the vomit inducing music and annoying little girl. get real
rainchiquita I don't know what words there are to say about this movie that can begin to describe how I felt while watching it. From the brilliant script to the acting done by Brooke Shields, her partner, the adorable little girl, and everyone else, I was moved in a way that no other movie I have seen has affected me. I still cannot stop crying and it ended fifteen minutes ago... everyone, especially those who are cynical of domestic partnerships and their competence as parents, should see this movie. I was so happy to hear that it was based on a true story- how wonderful!! I only wish that I could contact the real Janine, and praise and thank her for being such a role model and pioneer in a controversial area that so desperately needs widespread recognition. Kudos to Barbra Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg, Cis Corman, Brooke Shields, and everyone involved in the production of this movie for their courage and integrity.