What Makes a Family (TV 2001)

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.

Director:

Maggie Greenwald

Writer:

Robert L. Freedman

Stars:

Brooke Shields, Cherry Jones, Anne Meara

1 win & 1 nomination.

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

Storyline

Brooke Shields believes she has finally found happiness, now that she and her lesbian partner (Cherry Jones) have a child. But when Jones passes away five years later and her scheming parents apply for custody behind Shields' back, an affecting struggle ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | lesbianism | lupus | courtroom | death | 

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Taglines:

Because she loved a woman, she may lose the right to keep her child.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

A másik anya

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Barwood Films, Columbia TriStar Television, Storyline Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

At Sandy and Janine's reception, Nora makes a comment to which Sandy replies "I'm going to let that go because this is my wedding day and I am a vision" followed by Sandy and Janine giving each other cake. Later in the film, when Janine is searching for items for her attorney, she begins playing the reception video of which a portion can be seen on Janine's TV. We see the two giving each other cake, then a moment later we hear (from the video still playing) Sandy making the statement to Nora - reversed sequence from the original reception scene.

User Reviews

What a statement!

I was so impressed with the story and the acting in this movie. It really moved me and I was unable to sleep after watching it. I believe LOVE transcends everything. Whether you are in a heterosexual relationship or a homosexual relationship, Love is Love. I think it is grossly unfair for two people who love each other to not have any rights in that love just because they are the same sex. Florida needs to get with the program.

I applaud the people who produced and acted in this movie for their courage, and especially the people who had to go through this ordeal for real.