Chase (Mirren), a lifetime resident of Martha's Vineyard, married Richard (Bridges), and like the area, grew into the Upper-Middle-Class. Her distaste for artificiality leads her to a wild ... See full summary »
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Chase (Mirren), a lifetime resident of Martha's Vineyard, married Richard (Bridges), and like the area, grew into the Upper-Middle-Class. Her distaste for artificiality leads her to a wild breakdown, and Richard dutifully tries to restore their family unit as best he knows how by hiring a 'Mother's Helper', Elizabeth (Sedgwick). Chase is broken, and wickedly caustic towards Elizabeth, until they discover each other's similarities. A strong relationship develops, affecting their personal and familial salvation, and destruction. Written by
Lew Jacobs <titus@idirect.com>
When Richard is driving Elizabeth to the ferry his arm can be seen out of the car window, he is wearing a dark blue short sleeved shirt, yet when Chase arrives at the ferry he is wearing a long sleeved bleached (white?) shirt. See more »
While the first half feels predictable and very TV movie, the performances are good enough (especially Helen Mirren) to keep it going.
And in the second half, this tale of a collage student mother's helper hired to help a woman in an angry depression after suffering a nervous breakdown gets more complex and unpredictable.
The relationship between the two women, and they way their damaged souls play off each other is quite moving and grown up.
Strong subtle direction by Kevin Bacon.
Does take a hit for over the top performances from the kids, and other key small roles, all playing types, not human beings.
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While the first half feels predictable and very TV movie, the performances are good enough (especially Helen Mirren) to keep it going.
And in the second half, this tale of a collage student mother's helper hired to help a woman in an angry depression after suffering a nervous breakdown gets more complex and unpredictable.
The relationship between the two women, and they way their damaged souls play off each other is quite moving and grown up.
Strong subtle direction by Kevin Bacon.
Does take a hit for over the top performances from the kids, and other key small roles, all playing types, not human beings.