The Good Mother

Rating:
Summary: The Good Mother - A GREAT FILM ! Don't miss this one!
Review: Am I glad I bought this video while it was available! I rented it on the strength of the unparalleled Diane Keaton's participation, and found it one of the most moving films I've experienced. It's surprising this movie hasn't received meaningful press, at time of issue or since. Keaton is at her usual gorgeous, inspired best as Anna, a suppressed free-spirit. A divorced anywoman, she is the unquestionably devoted, responsible mother to 6-year old Molly, played to completely natural, adorable perfection by young Asia Vieira. Molly is equally crazy about her mom - their bond is deep and true. Welcome Liam Neeson (I fell in love instantly) as Leo, a charming Irish sculptor, as the first real and passionate love relationship in Anna's life; the two become serious quickly, and life is wonderful. Anna's ex-husband Brian, having moved on in his own life with another woman, reacts the only way he knows how to a controversial "mistake" Leo makes while caring for Molly one day while Anna is at work. Brian sues for custody, and the situation evolves dramatically from there (don't want to give it away).

This is a heart-wrenching, unforgettable story which unleashes a wide range of powerful emotions thanks to totally believable performances by the entire cast under Leonard Nimoy's superb direction: Ralph Bellamy as Anna's grandfather, Teresa Wright as her grandmother, Katey Sagal as friend Ursula, and Jason Robards as her attorney. Leo's mistake and the ensuing results evoke thought-provoking debate. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: The Good Mother - A GREAT FILM ! Don't miss this one!
Review: Am I glad I bought this video while it was available! I rented it on the strength of the unparalleled Diane Keaton's participation, and found it one of the most moving films I've experienced. It's surprising this movie hasn't received meaningful press, at time of issue or since. Keaton is at her usual gorgeous, inspired best as Anna, a suppressed free-spirit. A divorced anywoman, she is the unquestionably devoted, responsible mother to 6-year old Molly, played to completely natural, adorable perfection by young Asia Vieira. Molly is equally crazy about her mom - their bond is deep and true. Welcome Liam Neeson (I fell in love instantly) as Leo, a charming Irish sculptor, as the first real and passionate love relationship in Anna's life; the two become serious quickly, and life is wonderful. Anna's ex-husband Brian, having moved on in his own life with another woman, reacts the only way he knows how to a controversial "mistake" Leo makes while caring for Molly one day while Anna is at work. Brian sues for custody, and the situation evolves dramatically from there (don't want to give it away).

This is a heart-wrenching, unforgettable story which unleashes a wide range of powerful emotions thanks to totally believable performances by the entire cast under Leonard Nimoy's superb direction: Ralph Bellamy as Anna's grandfather, Teresa Wright as her grandmother, Katey Sagal as friend Ursula, and Jason Robards as her attorney. Leo's mistake and the ensuing results evoke thought-provoking debate. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Simply a must-see
Review: Being a tremendous fan of Diane Keaton's work, I rented this movie (I'm still... that this movie isn't sold anywhere), and it immediately rated as one of my top-ten favorite Keaton videos. It honestly is an enigma that this movie didn't get enough praise it deserves. Most of the scenes are incredibly sweet, warm, and intimate. That's what makes this movie so great. When Keaton's character, Anna, meets Liam Neeson's character, Leo, there's a unmistakable bond forming. I especially love the scene when Anna goes to Leo's apartment and Leo and Anna becomes one, dancing in front of Leo's sculpture, making shadows on the wall from the light shining on them from behind. This is an esoteric concept of first love. I really thought it was so sweet when Anna confessed to Leo that she thought she wasn't very good at sex, and he gently assures her that they can fix that. There's no judgment in that scene;it's obvious that Leo really loves Anna, and their love is vivid. Another favorite scene is when Anna and her daughter, Molly, are in the bathtub with Leo reading to them. This is truly intimate, and I just love the fact that they were so open-minded about being naked in front of Molly. There's just so much tenderness and love. It was, to me, beautiful. And yet another favorite scene is when Molly has a bad dream and goes into Anna's room while she and Leo are making love, and they comfort her until she falls asleep.There's another display of intimacy, about caring and love. The three of them together was absolutely wonderful. That is why I found it incredibly appalling that Anna's ex-husband, Brian, goes to court for something that happened between Molly and Leo that had absoluely no intention of happening. (I won't ruin the ending for you). But I found the ending truly sad and final. A soon-to-be family are wrenched apart by an innocent mistake. I felt bad, because I knew they could have had a wonderful life together. I also felt bad for Anna and Leo. I could really see their love shown for each other. They were so comfortable together; their feelings for each other were vivid and beautiful. This is a movie of non-judgment and unconditional love, and that's what makes it so special. I honestly don't understand why this movie was considered a failure. Keaton is at her best in this movie, and Neeson is simply wonderful. I consider myself as an efficient movie critic, and I know which movies are bad or good. This movie is a MUST-SEE!!! I acclaim Keaton especially for her wonderful work in this movie. 'The Good Mother' is proof that Keaton is one of the world's most rare and special actresses. If you're not suffering from brain deterioration, immediately rent this movie! You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: tenderness
Review: I saw this movie 2 years ago on TV and I was deeply moved by it. I'm looking everywhere to find this movie on video but I haven't found it yet. I also read the book, before I saw the film and I think it's the first time that I like more the film than the book of a same story. I must confess that since this film I became a fan of Liam Neeson. It's a film that sensitive people must see. The scene before the mirror has remained with me all along.

Rating:
Summary: So Powerful, So Wonderful
Review: I was warned before watching this movie that it would not be one of those 'sit in front of the television with a bowl of popcorn' movies. For half of the movie, I just sat there, my eyes glued to the screen, watching Diane Keaton in a simply wonderful and dramatic role.

Anna Dunlap (Keaton) is a newly divorced woman with an adorable six year old daughter. They have a wonderful relationship, and it is very evident when you sit down and watch them together. Enter Liam Neeson. He starts out as a person with whom you would not want to get to know, but after a few minutes, he reveals that he's just in a bad mood and he is actually quite nice. When he first meets Molly (the very adorable Asia Vieira), she is very shy towards him, but she learns to like him and you can see that there is a bond between them. When something happens (I don't want to say what), and Molly's father wants full-time custody of her, the movie becomes a full-blown drama. It is, I admit, hard to watch some of the courtroom scenes, but they are so powerful and they draw you into the story. In a way, I saw the end result coming, but not exactly like it did. It definitely showed finality in the family.

Keaton's performace, like I said above, was incredibly powerful and she does a wonderful job portraying Molly's mother. The main reason I bought this movie was because of Diane Keaton, since she is my favorite actress and this movie shows her in her best dramatic role, in my opinion. If only it had received higher reviews when it came out. But I go by what looks good to me, and to me, this looked good, mainly because of the cast and the story.

Rating:
Summary: So Powerful, So Wonderful
Review: I was warned before watching this movie that it would not be one of those 'sit in front of the television with a bowl of popcorn' movies. For half of the movie, I just sat there, my eyes glued to the screen, watching Diane Keaton in a simply wonderful and dramatic role.

Anna Dunlap (Keaton) is a newly divorced woman with an adorable six year old daughter. They have a wonderful relationship, and it is very evident when you sit down and watch them together. Enter Liam Neeson. He starts out as a person with whom you would not want to get to know, but after a few minutes, he reveals that he's just in a bad mood and he is actually quite nice. When he first meets Molly (the very adorable Asia Vieira), she is very shy towards him, but she learns to like him and you can see that there is a bond between them. When something happens (I don't want to say what), and Molly's father wants full-time custody of her, the movie becomes a full-blown drama. It is, I admit, hard to watch some of the courtroom scenes, but they are so powerful and they draw you into the story. In a way, I saw the end result coming, but not exactly like it did. It definitely showed finality in the family.

Keaton's performace, like I said above, was incredibly powerful and she does a wonderful job portraying Molly's mother. The main reason I bought this movie was because of Diane Keaton, since she is my favorite actress and this movie shows her in her best dramatic role, in my opinion. If only it had received higher reviews when it came out. But I go by what looks good to me, and to me, this looked good, mainly because of the cast and the story.

Rating:
Summary: interesting and moving
Review: this movie was very interesting. the end is kinda sad and you don't expect it, but still is very good. i'd recommend this movie to everyone!