Playing House (TV 2006)

A young, ambitious editor finds out she's pregnant just as she lands her big break.

Director:

Kelly Makin

Writers:

M.A. Lovretta (screenplay), Patricia Pearson (story)

Stars:

Joanne Kelly, Lucas Bryant, Colin Ferguson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joanne Kelly	...	Frannie Mackenzie
Lucas Bryant	...	Calvin Puddie
Colin Ferguson	...	Michael Tate
Michael Murphy	...	Hubbard
Rosemary Dunsmore	...	Madeline
Damir Andrei	...	John
Kristin Lehman	...	Marina
Janet van de Graaf	...	Ellie
Dorion Davis	...	Venia
Richard Clarkin	...	Richard
Renee Percy	...	Sandy
Mitchell Nye	...	Casey
Samantha Romando	...	April
Flossie McKnight	...	Dr. Nandu (as Araxi Arslanian)
Mario Romano	...	Doctor

Storyline

Frances Mackenzie is a Canadian junior copy editor in New York, but lands the account of her favorite author, Michael Tate, who finds her honesty fascinating. Just after her boyfriend Calvin Puddie started a six month tour as a jazz musician, she learns to be pregnant. Having neglected to prolong her visa, Frannie is stuck with her parents in Canada after a visit. Just when she started to despair, Calvin returns and proves a wonderfully supportive father, both before and after the birth of their son, but leaves when she fails to affirm being in love...

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Plot Keywords:

canada | canadian expatriate | motherhood | new york city | manhattan new york city | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

CTV [ca]

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 2006 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Une mère à l'épreuve

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blueprint Entertainment, CTV Television Network, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"I Don't Want to Go Home"
Written by Todd Hunter
Performed by Todd Hunter Band

User Reviews

Not the typical Lifetime pablum

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this little made for Lifetime movie. There is a lot that is entertaining about it. The predictable Lifetime storyline is there of course, but they've dressed it up to go to town. The writing is actually pretty good, the characters are multi-dimensional and not completely inclined to stereotypes. I am writing this under the assumption that the campiness in the script was intentional; heaven help me if I am wrong!

The story revolves around Madeline, a young career woman who has a fling with a hot jazz musician. He goes off on tour and she finds herself pregnant and alone. Somewhat ambivalent and depressed, Madeline goes home to Canada to visit her wacky family (not Coen brothers wacky, but more than you would come to expect from "TV for Women"). On her return home to Manhattan, She has an unfortunate encounter with a Customs officer and an expired passport, which is one of the highlights of the movie. She finds herself stuck in Canada, but her family invite her to stay and have the baby in Canada. This is her idea of hell on earth (I can relate, indeed), but she has no choice as she has been denied re-entry into the US for 1 year. The bulk of the movie finds her adjusting to her new life, and it starts feeling more Lifetimey here. But overall, I was mostly entertained by this movie.