Stepmom [DVD] [1999]

Stepmom features Susan Sarandon as the estranged ex -wife of Ed Harris. They have two children. The family has gone through some changes. Julia Roberts plays the 'new' girlfriend- the stepmom of the title. The first half of the film deals with how a birth mother might react when a new woman takes part responsibilty for the kids. Arguments flair up and we get to see the situation from both points of view.

Soon though the bickering turns to heartache when Jackie (Sarandon) is diagnosed with cancer. Roberts has to become the stepmom for 'real' now. Sarandon has to let go and Roberts has to put work commitments behind her and become a mum.

Susan Sarandon gives a powerhouse of a performance as Jackie- the mum who does not want to let go until illness leaves her with no choice. She is ably matched by Julia Roberts who has really blossomed as an actress in her last few films. There is much more to this actress than tituian curls and teeth. She remains sympathetic even though the audience feels for Jackie, too. This is down to Roberts excellent performance.

This film has been unfairly ignored and is worth buying. It's an emotional film that raises some very important issues and the director and actors handle them with panache and sensitivity.

If you fancy a night in to watch a good old faioned weepie- Stepmom will surprise you as it's a weepie with a message.

Their stepmother (Julia Roberts) "can have their future", their natural mother (Susan Sarandon) "can have their past.

This is a story of rivals learning to live alongside each other; against the odds.

This film is one of the most amazing films I have ever seen. It is a tale of self-discovery and courage between to completely different women as they travel through their lives apart and together. It stars award-winning actors and pushes them to the best of their abilities in numerous ways.

Julia Roberts plays Isabel, the new, younger woman. Susan Sarandon plays Jackie, the ex-wife. Isabel has not got a clue how to look after kids. Jackie is the perfect mom. The kids, Anna and Ben, hate Isabel because their mum hates her. For example, Jackie won't allow Isabel to take Anna to a concert on a school night but then takes her herself. Their dad, Luke, just wants them to get along. Anna and Isabel finally connect when Isabel gives her advice for an especially unpleasant boy. When Jackie discovers she is fatally ill, Isabel is the first to find out accidentally. The two have a heart-rending heart-to-heart, which is impossible to keep a dry eye. They admit everything, which has been hurting them from each other and their greatest fears about their continued lives. Isabel says that she fears that when she is helping Anna on her wedding day, all she will be thinking is "I wish mom was here". Jackie says her worst fear is that she won't.

This shows the talent, which these two actors have inside as they sit in that dingy bar, on opposite sides of a table, pouring out their souls. The script is marvellous but the acting and the direction is outstanding but a bad actor could mess all of that up. The example that I gave earlier just sums up this wondrous film. Ed Harris (Luke) also portrays the father of the kids brilliantly, as he reasons with them and tries to make them see sense. This film will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you sympathise. It will make you dislike. But most of all, it will make you want to be around people forever. This film shows how wrong you can be about people and how easy it is to follow examples and get someone who is trying to do their best for you so completely wrong. this is undoubtatbly The Best sad film EVER