Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

SnoopyStyle Jackie (Susan Sarandon) and Luke (Ed Harris) are divorced with 2 kids Anna (Jena Malone) and Ben (Liam Aiken). He's been seeing Isabel (Julia Roberts) a top fashion photographer. Jackie and Isabel clash over mothering styles. It all comes crashing down when Jackie is diagnose with cancer.These characters seems too fake to me. I think it may be Julia Roberts' fault. I can't really picture her as this character. Maybe it's her star power, or maybe it's that she doesn't play the young trophy girlfriend that often. And I never could imagine Sarandon and Harris as parents to two little kids. There is something wrong with the family makeup that I can't quite put a finger on.Director Chris Columbus doesn't do a good job at making this a more compelling movie. It starts too light heartedly with too many joke attempts. I think it's a mistake to try for the comedic route. It's even worst since the attempts fail. Then comes the constant fighting, bickering, and incessant back biting which really put me off. Then comes the cancer.This is a miss for me. I just don't really feel it. Maybe people of divorces relate to this movie more. I think there's a great possible movie idea to dive deeply into the mother character. This one is trying too hard to see it through Isabel's eyes.

mark.waltz Grab a box of Kleenex, a bag of popcorn and a sweetheart to share the tears with in this coming together of two women who would otherwise despise each other. They are the ex-wife and girlfriend of a busy dad who must learn to co-exist when potential tragedy arises. Oscar winners Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts both shine in this more recent variation of "Terms of Endearment", "Steel Magnolias" and "Beaches" where women end competition for the greater good. Sarandon is a force of nature as she goes from resentful of her ex's fiancée to confiding when a potentially fatal disease strikes, making it necessary to prepare her two children for the possibility that they will have to go on with future step-mom Roberts. The kids have understandably conflicting feelings and even when the teen daughter gets bratty, you empathize with her. Watching these two remarkable suddenly become pals is touching and rewarding, and scenes of New York in the fall and winter are beautiful. Roberts underplays her part, instilling her character with understanding and integrity, even humor. In an era where women seem intent on allowing themselves to be presented in a less nurturing light and allow the media to focus on mainly negative aspects, it is films like this which truly remind us of the qualities that make women great and give us the chance to celebrate their true strengths which do not have to result in a cat fight on a TV reality show.

atlasmb Stepmom is a wonderful, life-affirming film that benefits from the great direction of Chris Columbus, the beautiful music of John Williams, and a great screenplay.Ed Harris is great as the father, though his role is smaller. The two children are spot on. But what really drives this film are the portrayals of the mother by Susan Sarandon and the stepmother by Julia Roberts.This film is about universal truths: Life has its ups and downs. Love has its ups and downs. Some of the strongest familial bonds are forged from needing. And when you really love someone, there is no wrong way to do it.The story traces the progress between the mom and the stepmom--two women who have to face their fears of a new family dynamic. The mother was there for all the tender moments, all the wounds and all the memories. The stepmom is the "cool" one who knows the lyrics to all the songs and is current with today's fashions. To become a whole family, the mother must overcome her fear of being replaced and the stepmother must overcome her fear of comparison with an irreplaceable mother.This is a tearjerker. The resolution goes far beyond the daily struggles of a family rent by divorce. Well worth seeing.

namashi_1 Chris Columbus directed 'Stepmom' is a winner all the way... a true 1998 Classic! The film is highly entertaining, in fact there is hardly a moment when you feel bored in this 123 minute-film. Columbus has made superb films, and 'Stepmom' ranks as his best.The film has a beautiful story, a story about a divorced couple, their children and the Stepmom. The film explains the worth of a family... it surely leaves a great moral behind. The climax is superb, it gets you moist-eyed.Performance-wise: Ed Harris is Incredible, as ever. He steals the show in a small, but significant role. Julia Roberts is fantastic as the Stepmom. Susan Sarandon needs to mentioning, she's a class apart. Liam Aiken & Jena Malone, the kids, stand out.On the whole 'Stepmom' is a must watch for each and every cine-lover.