Stepmom (1998)

Release date: 1998-12-25
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Chris Columbus
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, 1492 Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: 6.8/10
Length: 2h 5min

Storyline

Anna and Ben, the two children of Jackie and Luke, must cope with the fact that their parents divorced and their father is now with successful photographer Isabel. She does her best to treat the kids in a way that makes them still feel at home when they're with their dad, but she also loves her work and doesn't plan to give it up. But full-time mother Jackie finds Isabel's efforts offensively insufficient and can't understand that work can be important to her as well as the kids. The conflict between them is deepened by the sudden diagnosis of cancer, which might be deadly for Jackie. They all have to learn a little in order to grow together.

Plot Keywords

cancer, custody, family relationships, one word title, reference to elvis presley, freeze frame, female protagonist, divorcee, soccer game, terminal cancer, chemotherapy, mother son relationship, puppy, stepmother stepson relationship, stepmother stepdaughter relationship, dog, mother daughter relationship, school play, christmas, terminal illness

Short Review

It's a lovely daydream, made lovelier by the fiercely maternal performance of Sarandon as a lioness protecting her cubs, and Julia Roberts as a mass of insecurity trying to measure up to impossible standards.