Stepmom (PG-13, 1998)

Ready or not, Isabel (Julia Roberts) is about to find out what it means to be a mom, better yet, a step-mom, soon after her boyfriend Luke (Ed Harris) pops the question. What makes things more interesting is dealing with Luke’s un-accepting ex-wife, Jackie (Susan Sarandon). In addition, Luke and Jackie’s two children, Anna and Ben, are not fond of the idea of a step-mom. Isabel, a professional photographer consumed by her career, finds that being a mom is not as easy as she thought. Then the rivalry begins between Isabel and Jackie while the children struggle to adjust to new family dynamics. The plot thickens as Isabel learns that Jackie has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. This shocking news becomes the turning point where Jackie and Isabel learn to accept each other and focus on the children. Susan Sarandon does an excellent job portraying the slightly jealous ex-wife and the emotional heartache of not being able to watch your kids grow up. Julia Roberts does well portraying the naïve step-mom desperately trying to gain the children’s acceptance. The background scenes fit perfectly within the context of the characters lives. For instance, the busy city streets and photo studios depict well the lifestyle of Isabel. While, the serene southern style home filled with memories from wall to wall, depicts well the lifestyle of Jackie. The director/producer, Chris Columbus, keeps the continuity of the storyline moving forward through the entire movie. Overall, I think this is a great film that demonstrates some of the real life complexities of divorced families. It also demonstrates the ability people have to love, accept, and work together in the midst of challenging circumstances. Get your tissue box ready, this film is sure to make you laugh and cry.