secondtake Mother and Child (2009)A drama filled with crosscurrents and heavy emotional stuff, yet told in such a normal and realistic way we come to believe it. And like it. Especially the acting, with Naomi Watts and Annette Bening leading two generations (and defining the title).More than just exploring what a woman and her daughter (or her mother) need from one another (and give), this is about that first stage of becoming a mother—and deciding whether to keep the baby at all. So you see, it gets huge. And then comes the long term issue of adoption and finding, with luck, your adopted mother. The anger and released fears and the decades of doubts all flip and resolve, and this is all here.What helps all along is the imperfect characters. In fact, Watts (as the conniving, independent daughter) and Bening (as the bitter, lonely mother) are really unlikable. At first. What keeps you going is the tenderness of two of the men, played by Jimmy Smits and Samuel L. Jackson, both with wonderful subtlety. While it never becomes "father and child" at all, these men really help nurture the mother and daughter relationships.So who is this Columbian director and writer who pulled this together so well? He's had a mixed career writing and producing, and directing, including some "Six Feet Under" episodes and other spot jobs. He seems to lean toward interpersonal dramas, and has a knack for playing down sentiment while tuning into emotional impact (which is very different). It works.Some people might find the plot too controlled, too contrived (almost but not quite to the point of predictability). Others might find the restraint all a bit too realistic, so that you kind of see too much real life and not enough theater. For me it walked a great line between all these poles. Good stuff!

SnoopyStyle Karen (Annette Bening) is taking care of her elderly mother and working as a physical therapist. She is haunted by a child she gave up for adoption. Paco (Jimmy Smits) is interested but she's very closed off. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) was adopted and she isn't close to anybody. She's a loner and she's got a new boss Paul (Samuel L. Jackson). Lucy (Kerry Washington) and Joseph (David Ramsey) are desperate to adopt. She's more desperate than him.It's a long slow movie. There is an automatic possible connection between two of the stories. Considering the long 2 hours running time, eliminating the Lucy/Joseph storyline should be an option. The stories are all connected through an idea, but I wish they get actually connected earlier on. It's more meditation than narrative.

C. L. Kowal From the beginning of this movie, I was sucked in. There are three stories, interwoven, that deal with adoption.This movie deals with various aspects of adoption, from closed adoption to the fears of giving a baby away for adoption to what it means to have an adopted child.I had no idea how everything would fit together, but the way the stories were interwoven, the movie just flowed very nicely and was very well- written. It was very easy to follow.Some of the end is difficult, so brace yourselves for crying. Have a few tissues set aside. However difficult the ending is, it is absolutely beautiful. No other words to explain it. Magnificently done.

lifedeathcomic Yes the actors are great and I like the emotions in their faces. They are superb in their acting and blah blah blahThe true question is not if the actors are good, the question is why in the name of Earth, were all these good actors/actresses in this movie with such a horrendous theme.Yes, for those who haven's seen the movie…please don't, the theme of the movie is bad, really – really bad.The movie is a ride into the idea that, 'Do not Adopt and do not give for adoption children, if you do, the child and you, will be destroyed forever and ever…oh and adoption is not natural so…DON'T DO IT! Just don't!'Cripes sake! Keep away from this kind of movies…THEY are the devil!