What Makes a Family

2001 "Based on the controversial true story"
6.6| 2h0m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 22 January 2001 Released
Producted By: Lifetime
Country: Canada
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Janine and Sandy are a lesbian couple who decide to have a baby, but after a few years Sandy dies. This tragedy is exploited by Sandy's parents to snatch the girl from Janine's care. But then, and despite having the laws against her, Janine decides to fight in order to regain custody of her daughter.

Genre

Drama, TV Movie

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Director

Maggie Greenwald

Production Companies

Lifetime

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What Makes a Family Audience Reviews

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.
Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!
AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Nicholas Rhodes From the cinematic point of view, this film is excellent, for this reason I give it a good vote - picture quality, music, actors' performance, and the plot itself provide plenty of interest for the spectator with not a dull moment. There is doubtless some idealization of the couple as they cannot put a foot wrong in the story and everything is calculated in the story to at least attempt to make the spectator sympathize with their plight Politically and morally, the film seems much more dubious to me and whilst two ladies living together is one thing, that they should want to have a child is pure anathema to me as we all know that to bring up a child properly requires a male and a female presence. Therefore, basically, they are not doing the child a favour by doing this and are acting out of pure but incomprehensible selfishness. The act therefore of obtaining a child by artificial ( not natural means ) is therefore reprehensible and against nature. That said, I would tend to agree with the judge on his decision that in spite of this, the remaining partner was probably the best person to bring up the child if she indeed was able to reconcile professional and family life. But as I said earlier, the film manipulates the spectator to support the remaining partner against the grand parents who are depicted as possessive and "not-so-nice" people, suddenly turning against the remaining partner after the death of their daughter which is of course unfair, as she didn't catch lupus from her partner. Their daughter's gradually deteriorating condition is genuinely painful to witness and would-be spectators should be advised that the film is indeed very distressing but of course well acted. All this tugs on the heartstrings of the viewer and why not indeed, as cinema is here to make us feel emotion.
liebchen45 This was a wonderful movie and Brooke Shields has done a fantastic job. It even brought tears to my husbands eyes as well. The little girl in the movie was beautiful and already an excellent actress. I wonder if anyone can help me. The song, I think it was called, "As long as you love me", does anyone know who sang it? I would love to have a copy of it.
kelley1717 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.
rainchiquita I don't know what words there are to say about this movie that can begin to describe how I felt while watching it. From the brilliant script to the acting done by Brooke Shields, her partner, the adorable little girl, and everyone else, I was moved in a way that no other movie I have seen has affected me. I still cannot stop crying and it ended fifteen minutes ago... everyone, especially those who are cynical of domestic partnerships and their competence as parents, should see this movie. I was so happy to hear that it was based on a true story- how wonderful!! I only wish that I could contact the real Janine, and praise and thank her for being such a role model and pioneer in a controversial area that so desperately needs widespread recognition. Kudos to Barbra Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg, Cis Corman, Brooke Shields, and everyone involved in the production of this movie for their courage and integrity.