What Makes a Family (2001) (TV)

Director:

Maggie Greenwald

Writer (WGA):

Robert L. Freedman (written by)

Release Date:

22 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Because she loved a woman, she may lose the right to keep her child.

Plot:

A lesbian, artificially inseminated, gives birth, then dies, and her companion must fight to regain custody of the child from the dead woman's grandparents.

Plot Keywords:

Lesbian | Courtroom | Gay Parent | Custody Case | Death

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Brooke Shields	...	Janine Nielssen
Cherry Jones	...	Sandy Cataldi
Anne Meara	...	Evelyn Cataldi
Al Waxman	...	Frank Cataldi
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Terry Harrison
Jordy Benattar	...	Heather Cataldi
Melanie Nicholls-King	...	Nora
Stewart Arnott	...	Peter
Joanne Vannicola	...	Melissa
Roberta Maxwell	...	Claire
Dean McDermott	...	O'Brien
Sean McCann	...	Judge Black
Philip Williams	...	Martin Crane
Jayne Eastwood	...	Judge Shales
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George Buza	...	Reverend Greg Wasney
Cayle Chernin	...	ICU Nurse (as Lorraine Sinclair)
Catherine Dulder	...	Cop
Roger Dunn	...	Professor
Richard Fitzpatrick	...	Michael
Joyce Gordon	...	Tanned Woman
Dawn Greenhalgh	...	Dr. Gage
William Lynn	...	Reverend at Chapel (as Bill Lynn)
Tony Meyler	...	Bailiff
Sonja Mills	...	Party Guest
Andrew Moodie	...	ICU Nurse Cecil
Marilo Nunez	...	Cop at Home
Beatriz Pizano	...	Woman at Hospital
Reuben Thompson	...	Marko
Alana Turner	...	Ballet Instructor

Runtime:

120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Barwood Films

Goofs:

Continuity: At Sandy and Janine's reception, Nora makes a comment to which Sandy replies "I'm going to let that go because this is my wedding day and I am a vision" followed by Sandy and Janine giving each other cake. Later in the film, when Janine is searching for items for her attorney, she begins playing the reception video of which a portion can be seen on Janine's TV. We see the two giving each other cake, then a moment later we hear (from the video still playing) Sandy making the statement to Nora - reversed sequence from the original reception scene.

excellent work all around

This is a beautifully realized TV movie about the fight of a lesbian, played by Brooke Shields, to regain custody of the child she and her partner were raising when her lover (beautifully portrayed by Cherry Jones) dies. Shields has to fight the Florida court system, her lover's parents and her own parents, who reject her lifestyle. Because her lover, Sandra, was artificially inseminated, Sandra's parents take the child and want custody. The backward laws in Florida make it a tough battle for Janine.

The film attempts to give every side of the story in a balanced manner. Janine's pain - and the love she has for the child - are apparent throughout. Shields does a wonderful job. The film also shows the devotion Janine and Sandra had to one another, the level of their commitment, and the horror of Sandra's death. This is an excellent movie, which may open some people's minds.