Stepmom (1998)

A terminally-ill mother has to settle on the new woman in her ex-husband's life, who will be their new stepmother.

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers:

Gigi Levangie (story), Gigi Levangie (screenplay),

Stars:

Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julia Roberts	...	Isabel Kelly
Susan Sarandon	...	Jackie Harrison
Ed Harris	...	Luke Harrison
Jena Malone	...	Anna Harrison
Liam Aiken	...	Ben Harrison
Lynn Whitfield	...	Dr. P. Sweikert
Darrell Larson	...	Duncan Samuels
Mary Louise Wilson	...	Mrs. Franklin
Andre B. Blake	...	Cooper (as Andre Blake)
Herbert Russell	...	Photo Assistant (as Russel Harper)
Jack Eagle	...	Craft Service Man
Lu Celania Sierra	...	Photo Shoot Model
Lauma Zemzare	...	Photo Shoot Model
Holly Schenck	...	Photo Shoot Model
Michelle Stone	...	Photo Shoot Model

Storyline

Anna and Ben, the two children of Jackie and Luke, have to cope with the fact that their parents divorced and that there is a new woman in their father's life: Isabel, a successful photographer. She does her best to treat the kids in a way that makes them still feel at home when being with their dad, but also loves her work and does not plan to give it up. But Jackie, a full-time mother, regards Isabel's efforts as offensively insufficient. She can't understand that work can be important to her as well as the kids. The conflict between them is deepened by the sudden diagnose of cancer, which might may be deadly for Jackie. They all have to learn a little in order to grow together.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | cancer | divorce | rebellious daughter | husband wife relationship | 

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Taglines:

Be there for the joy. Be there for the tears. Be there for each other.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Class Divided

Filming Locations:

Bedford, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£631,161 (UK) (29 January 1999)

Gross:

$91,030,827 (USA) (23 April 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, 1492 Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first theatrical film to premiere on the WB television network.

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Goofs

On Christmas morning when Isabel is taking the family photo the right hand edge of Jackie's waistcoat (vest) is straight then wrinkled then straight.

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Quotes

Ben Harrison: See Mom? I told you! I'm telepathetic.
Jackie Harrison: Telepathic.
Ben Harrison: That's what I said.

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Connections

Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Il Signor Bruschino"
(Overture)
Written by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Riccardo Chailly
Courtesy of The Decca Record Company Limited
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film and TV Music

User Reviews

A good film.

"Stepmom" isn't a comedy. It's an emotional drama, although you would easily be forgiven for thinking otherwise. After all, the advertisments and trailers give the impression that it's a romantic comedy, whilst the fact that the picture is directed by Chris Columbus ("Nine Months") emphasises that reading all the more. However whilst this is definitely an emotional, tear-jerking drama, there is the odd comic moment in it, mostly provided by young Liam Aiken as Sarandon's youngest child; a wannabe magician (Who, incidentially, looks like a thug in the making:- A miniture version of Telly from "Kids!").

Anyway, "Stepmom" is a decent movie, partially because Susan Sarandon is so brilliant. Whenever she's on screen, she dominates everything, and is completely convincing. The film also takes an independent viewpoint of its characters; a definite plus. Rather than encouraging us to like or dislike a certain character, we had balanced screen-time and view-points of both. Therefore, whilst we're encouraged to like and relate to Jackie, we also despise her frequently; she's often petty, spiteful and downright nasty for seemingly no reason. The same applies to Julia Robert's character, whom, although we like and dislike in equal amounts, isn't quite as interesting as Sarandon. Ed Harris, is, as usual, superb, although there isn't much chemistry between himself and Roberts, maybe because of the obvious age difference.

Where "Stepmom" goes wrong is in the way so many Hollywood films do - It never really cuts to the issue in question. This is a film about a mental battle between two independent women, but it's also about tragedy and its consequences. It's here the film seems to falter, a bit like the themes of AIDS and homosexuality in "Philadelphia." It's much too soft round the edges for its own good, resulting in a movie that, whilst touching, sad and emotional, still lacks a little maturity.

Whilst the movie avoids the all-too conventional ending (You'll see what I mean when you view the picture), we come away liking the film, but wanting just a little more.