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

The restaurant called "The '76 House", featured in two dinner scenes, one with Jackie and Luke and one with Jackie and Isabel, is a National Historical Site in Tappan, Rockland County, New York. Major John Andre, a British officer who assisted turncoat Benedict Arnold, was held there while awaiting trial by then General George Washington. At the time, it was a tavern and inn, but located across from the town meeting hall and church where the trial was held; another National Historic Site.

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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

Isabel: You look tired.
Jackie Harrison: I hate when people say that. It's like a polite way of telling you that you look like shit.

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Connections

References The Goonies (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Green Onions"
Written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg, and Al Jackson Jr.
Performed by Booker T. & the M.G.s (as Booker T. and the MG's)
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Very Beautiful

I got Stepmom for Julia Robert's performance, and I expected it to be pretty good. It did not fail me- it exceeded my expectations. This movie is beautiful.

It's the story of a husband and wife with two kids who have fallen out of love, and now the father is getting married to a new, younger woman. The mother of the kids does everything she can to make her children hate this woman who is going to very soon be a permanent part of their life.

Julia Roberts indeed gives a fine performance as the fiancée of Ed Harris, the husband. She steals your heart in every scene she's in as this young woman who is trying so hard to be exactly what those children want and need. And in the end, she's searching for acceptance and love from them as much as they are from her. And then there's Susan Sarandon, giving one of her best performances as the mother of the children who wants nothing more than to remove her children from The younger woman completely. Sarandon's character is horrible- one of the most awful and hateful people in modern movies. She backstabs, she's overly-critical, and for a long time, she finds every chance possible to turn her children against the other woman- yet you cannot help but feel for her. As nasty as she is, you sympathize with this woman who is having to deal with her children being in the care of a younger, inexperienced woman who is living with her ex-husband. It's impossible not to understand her character's mourning and confusion. For the first time in her life, this woman is not the only mother in her children's life.

Don't be surprised if you cry- more than once. It's that good, and that affecting. Truly, this film is one of the better delights of the past few years. Beautiful story, great performances, real emotions- 8/10 stars!

Jay Addison