IMDb > What Makes a Family (2001) (TV)

What Makes a Family (2001) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   314 votes
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Director:
Maggie Greenwald
Writer (WGA):
Robert L. Freedman (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for What Makes a Family on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 January 2001 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Because she loved a woman, she may lose the right to keep her child.
Plot:
A lesbian, artificially inseminated, gives birth, then dies, and her companion must fight to regain custody of the child from the dead woman's grandparents. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
excellent work all around more (11 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Brooke Shields ... Janine Nielssen
Cherry Jones ... Sandy Cataldi
Anne Meara ... Evelyn Cataldi
Al Waxman ... Frank Cataldi

Whoopi Goldberg ... Terry Harrison
Jordy Benattar ... Heather Cataldi

Melanie Nicholls-King ... Nora
Stewart Arnott ... Peter

Joanne Vannicola ... Melissa
Roberta Maxwell ... Claire

Dean McDermott ... O'Brien

Sean McCann ... Judge Black
Philip Williams ... Martin Crane

Jayne Eastwood ... Judge Shales
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George Buza ... Reverend Greg Wasney
Cayle Chernin ... ICU Nurse (as Lorraine Sinclair)
Catherine Dulder ... Cop
Roger Dunn ... Professor
Richard Fitzpatrick ... Michael
Joyce Gordon ... Tanned Woman
Dawn Greenhalgh ... Dr. Gage
William Lynn ... Reverend at Chapel (as Bill Lynn)
Tony Meyler ... Bailiff
Sonja Mills ... Party Guest

Andrew Moodie ... ICU Nurse Cecil
Marilo Nunez ... Cop at Home
Beatriz Pizano ... Woman at Hospital
Reuben Thompson ... Marko
Alana Turner ... Ballet Instructor
more
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
120 min (including commercials)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Certification:
Australia:M
Filming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Company:
Barwood Films more

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Continuity: At the time of Sandy's death, it is obviously Christmastime (Heather asking about decorating the tree/Christmas music playing in scene just before Sandy's seizure; Christmas decorations present after Sandy's death during dinner scene with Janine, Peter and his partner discussing Janine's rights with Heather.) When Janine reads Sandy's obituary, a brief shot of the clipping states Sandy's death date as Friday, June 29, 2000 (which was actually a Thursday.) more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
excellent work all around, 6 June 2005
8/10
Author: blanche-2 from United States

This is a beautifully realized TV movie about the fight of a lesbian, played by Brooke Shields, to regain custody of the child she and her partner were raising when her lover (beautifully portrayed by Cherry Jones) dies. Shields has to fight the Florida court system, her lover's parents and her own parents, who reject her lifestyle. Because her lover, Sandra, was artificially inseminated, Sandra's parents take the child and want custody. The backward laws in Florida make it a tough battle for Janine.

The film attempts to give every side of the story in a balanced manner. Janine's pain - and the love she has for the child - are apparent throughout. Shields does a wonderful job. The film also shows the devotion Janine and Sandra had to one another, the level of their commitment, and the horror of Sandra's death. This is an excellent movie, which may open some people's minds.

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