The Good Mother (1988)

A divorced mother may lose custody of her young daughter to her ex-husband after he learns that the little girl crawled into bed with the mother and her boyfriend.

Director:

Leonard Nimoy

Writers:

Michael Bortman (screenplay), Sue Miller (based upon the novel by)

Stars:

Diane Keaton, Liam Neeson, Jason Robards

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diane Keaton	...	Anna Dunlop
Liam Neeson	...	Leo Cutter
Jason Robards	...	W. O. Muth
Ralph Bellamy	...	Frank - Grandfather
Teresa Wright	...	Eleanor - Grandmother
James Naughton	...	Brian Dunlop
Asia Vieira	...	Molly Dunlop
Joe Morton	...	Frank Williams
Katey Sagal	...	Ursula
Margaret Bard	...	Aunt Rain
Nancy Beatty	...	Anna's Mother
Barry Belchamber	...	Anna's Father
Mairon Bennett	...	Young Anna
Zachary Bennett	...	Young Bobby
Scott Brunt	...	Eric

Storyline

A divorced mother may lose custody of her young daughter to her ex-husband after he learns that the little girl crawled into bed with the mother and her boyfriend.

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Plot Keywords:

motherhood | girl | custody | maternal love | accusation | 

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Taglines:

Can a court determine how we should live, how we should love, how we should raise our children? Now Anna must prove that she is the Good Mother.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leonard Nimoy was best known for playing Spock on Star Trek. Katey Sagal later appeared in Futurama, which featured guest appearances by many original Star Trek cast members, including Nimoy.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Leonard Nimoy/Bill Maher/B.J. Sniff (1991)

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Soundtracks

Just Like U Said It Would B
Written by Sinéad O'Connor & Steve Wickham
Performed by Sinéad O'Connor
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records

User Reviews

OK, non-commercial film, a bit unpleasant

Not particularly pleasant to watch. The events at the heart of this movie are supposed to be thought of ambiguously, as maybe not such a big deal. I don't know about 1988 Boston, but I live in the South in 2005. I think that here and now, if these sort of things came to light, there would be a lot more going on than a custody dispute. Probably a major criminal investigation, at minimum. Anyone has the right to live a bohemian or libertine lifestyle, but not necessarily the right to subject children to such things.

The movie could have developed the character of the ex-husband a bit more. As it stands you really don't know if his motivations are reasonable concerns about his child, or if he simply intends to stick it to his ex.

Everything else about the film, aside from the material was just fine. The lead acting, the child actor, Leonard Nimoy's direction were all good. Katey Sagal was good and looked scrumptious in a small part.

Worth checking out if you are willing to forgo the car chases and alien wars, and think about something. But don't expect to enjoy it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Preis der Gefühle

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,804,288, 6 November 1988

Gross USA:

$4,764,606

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,764,606

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1