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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Twilight fans will love seeing the swoony vampire hunk Robert Pattinson back before he was undead. The Bad Mother's Handbook, a BBC TV film based on the bestselling book by Kate Long, is a smart, crisply directed portrait of a family of three strong women, and the men who love them and sometimes let them down. Pattinson plays Daniel, an extraordinarily gawky and dweeby high schooler who befriends Charlotte (Holliday Grainger), a bright 16-year-old who discovers she's pregnant. Charlotte's family is completed by her mum, Karen (Catherine Tate), The Bad Mother's Handbook's narrator, and Nan, Karen's adoptive mother (the venerable Anne Reid), who's dotty but lovable. The ostensible stars of The Bad Mother's Handbook are these three women, but Pattinson's Twilight mega-stardom guarantees that many members of Team Edward will be among its most devoted viewers. They won't be disappointed. Pattinson's Daniel wears ill-fitting boots, pants, scarves, jackets--even glasses. His lank hair is lush and auburn, not spiky and vampire-black. Daniel takes the pregnant Charlotte under his wing and spends her entire pregnancy as her one-man support group. Grainger is well cast as the confused, sullen, but still hopeful Charlotte, and she and Pattinson have a believable friend chemistry that lifts their scenes together. Reid transcends her limited role with quiet, emotion-filled scenes that stay in the memory. And Tate gives a spirited performance, though the transition of Karen from the page to the screen could have used some softening; a lot of Karen's rants and snipes about her lot in life are funny in the book and come off as shrill and unfeeling in the film version. Still, the ensemble cast is excellent and no Twilight fan will be able to resist watching a young Pattinson honing his acting craft. --A.T. Hurley
Product Description
Daniel (Robert Pattinson) has been spending a lot of time with his crush, Charlotte, who has just learned she is pregnant. Daniel helps Charlotte with her pregnancy struggles and finds himself on a memorable 9-month journey with three independent, outspoken women. Through the tears, laughter and love, this dysfunctional family finds a way to stick it out together.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Cindy
Format:DVD
This made for TV movie was based on the best-selling novel: The Bad Mother's Handbook by Kate Long.
Like most people purchasing this DVD, I bought it because Robert Pattinson played a character in it. And I admit, I had low expectations of enjoying anything more than his appearance in it. Of course, that is WHY they are marketing this movie the way they are.
What I was NOT expecting was to see so LITTLE of Rob and yet to enjoy this movie so much. This is a very moving, funny, thought-provoking film. I LOVED the glimpses of Rob... he is so young and plays awkward SO well. Adorable. But I was not disappointed, even though I would have enjoyed seeing more of him, because the Bad Mother's Handbook is just that GOOD.
The story is about a dysfunctional, multigenerational family of women. Middle-aged Karen is stressed and frustrated, struggling to care for both a teenage daughter and mother with Alzheimer's. She has a bit of an identity crisis when she discovers a long-kept secret. Her bright but hormonal daughter, Charlotte, has her own crisis when she discovers that she's pregnant about the same time her dead-beat boyfriend dumps her. Enter Daniel (Robert Pattinson), a new student and doctor's son, who tries to support her in his own nerdy way. Karen strikes out at both her mother and daughter in bitter disappointment, but all the turmoil serves to teach them all some important lessons about love, family, and being a mother. I laughed and had tears...
My advice - if you think this movie stars Rob, lower your expectations and you'll be better able to enjoy a very good movie.
HINT: If you aren't used to HEAVY British/Scottish accents, you might want to turn on the English SUBTITLES. I did and it made all the difference.
Like most people purchasing this DVD, I bought it because Robert Pattinson played a character in it. And I admit, I had low expectations of enjoying anything more than his appearance in it. Of course, that is WHY they are marketing this movie the way they are.
What I was NOT expecting was to see so LITTLE of Rob and yet to enjoy this movie so much. This is a very moving, funny, thought-provoking film. I LOVED the glimpses of Rob... he is so young and plays awkward SO well. Adorable. But I was not disappointed, even though I would have enjoyed seeing more of him, because the Bad Mother's Handbook is just that GOOD.
The story is about a dysfunctional, multigenerational family of women. Middle-aged Karen is stressed and frustrated, struggling to care for both a teenage daughter and mother with Alzheimer's. She has a bit of an identity crisis when she discovers a long-kept secret. Her bright but hormonal daughter, Charlotte, has her own crisis when she discovers that she's pregnant about the same time her dead-beat boyfriend dumps her. Enter Daniel (Robert Pattinson), a new student and doctor's son, who tries to support her in his own nerdy way. Karen strikes out at both her mother and daughter in bitter disappointment, but all the turmoil serves to teach them all some important lessons about love, family, and being a mother. I laughed and had tears...
My advice - if you think this movie stars Rob, lower your expectations and you'll be better able to enjoy a very good movie.
HINT: If you aren't used to HEAVY British/Scottish accents, you might want to turn on the English SUBTITLES. I did and it made all the difference.
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By sage
Format:DVD
While this film is not bad, for a made for TV flick, it is a complete injustice to bill it as a "Robert Pattinson film:. The story is about Charlie, and her relationship with her mother and grandmother. Daniel Gale is an ancillary character at best. This is nothing short of opportunistic advertising, and marketing making the assumption that the public doesn't know better.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Danala22
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wanted to see this movie because of Rob Pattinson. I knew he was not the main character so I wasn't surprised by that. I was, however surprised by how wonderful this little film is. It is a warm, loving story of a family. It is beautifully acted and creatively filmed. I enjoyed the story & I really felt for the characters. It is very British & tough to understand the dialogue sometimes, but that just added to, not distracted from. A movie that makes me laugh, cry & look forward to seeing it again deserves 4 stars.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Mare0622
Format:DVD
Like most of the viewers, I watched this movie because of Robert Pattinson (he didn't have a major role). Anyway, I was very surprised of how much I liked the movie. Giving it a 5 star because of Catherine Tate's performance, along with the daughter, and grandmother. It's about family, what's important in life, discovery, the ups and down of being a young mother. It's touching! Only bad thing, it was too short. Overall, worth watching.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By maxine
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although Rob Pattinson is in this movie and does a rather good job with his part. This
is really a good example of british humor at
it's best. Rob is endearing but the story is
really about the mother and daughter.
Happy I bought this movie.
is really a good example of british humor at
it's best. Rob is endearing but the story is
really about the mother and daughter.
Happy I bought this movie.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Kristi D.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a charming movie and the dvd quality is fine, but this version is edited. Cut up scenes and words omitted.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By I'm a Mom
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
Okay, I get that this movie is the equivalent of "made for TV" here in the U.S. I get that it's kind of "fluffy", dealing with heavy themes (adoption, unplanned pregnancy, family secrets) with a big dose of sardonic humor. I've never read the book, either. I'll admit that I bought the movie because Robert Pattinson was in it and I was curious about his early acting roles. I didn't expect much. What I found was a cute, somewhat heartwarming little film about family ties, VERY British, with likeable characters. Rob's only in it somewhat (which I expected) and it's obvious he's at the beginning of his career--although he has some great moments with his portrayal of awkward, socially-inept Daniel. Holly (these days she's Holiday) Granger is also fun to watch and other actors are adequate (although there are one or two stereotypes which were played a bit too camp for me). Still, I've watched this several times, usually when I just want something light-hearted. Fun little movie!
On a side note, Robert and Holiday appear together in the recent film Bel Ami. Interesting to see their progression as actors a few years later.
On a side note, Robert and Holiday appear together in the recent film Bel Ami. Interesting to see their progression as actors a few years later.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Gia
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I absolutely ADORED this movie! Sign me admittedly guilty of buying this DVD only because of the RPattz factor. However, this movie turned out to have a much more substantial storyline than I initially expected. It was refreshing, compelling,and endearing with a twist of humor. The dynamics of the grandmother, mother, and daughter relationships were thought provoking. The storyline gives you much to consider and want to discuss later. I never would have expected this high caliber from a supposed B teen angst movie. However, a disconnect for me was they didn't show how the other students, faculty or neighbors, etc. reacted towards a pregnant teen in British society. I would have appreciated seeing those struggles. Charlotte's pregnancy came across as unrealistically commonplace and acceptable minus any hardships, ostracism, repercussions, etc.; whereas the rest of the movie was so painfully realistic at times that I was moved to tears. There wasn't a message for teens not to get pregnant here. I found the meaning was more directed towards women, their relationships and honesty. Nonetheless, I liked the film very much. It was entertaining and left you wanting to know more. I thought all the actors even down to the saucy ex-husband did a convincing impressive portrayal. As far as the RPattz factor, I thought he was amazing and did one of his best performances as the awkward geek. Frankly, he stole every scene with his warm humor and gentle approach although he was only in a handful of scenes (still worth buying the DVD though for fans!). He had a natural ease in his acting delivery then, which I think he should get back to in the films he's doing now.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love Robert
cute funny film -- a bit of real life of a teen -- laughed at some of the aspects of the MOTHER
Published 23 days ago by E. T. Svedek
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly surprised
I ordered one from the UK and would not play in this region; so I took another stab at purchasing this movie and was pleasantly surprised by the humor and warmth of this movie. Read more
Published 1 month ago by B. Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good movie!
I was thinking this movie was going to be lighthearted, but it was actually pretty deep. Way better than expected.
Published 2 months ago by Alyssa Watson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Robert Pattinson fan
Got this after seeing a couple of Robert Pattinson movies - did not know anything about it - it was when he first started acting - okay movie - he has come a long way - very... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mina J. Graham
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stunk!
There goes an hour and a half I'll never get back! I was disappointed with the whole movie and wouldnt recommend it at all.
Published 3 months ago by Gracie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Its okay
I bought this movie because of Rob Pattinson being in it. Its kind of an endearing movie where his character gets involved with a girl who is pregnant by another and he gets... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gracie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good family drama with a twist at the end
As others have said, this movie is not centered around Rob Pattinson, whose face you can barely see even when he does appear due to his voluminous bangs. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
The shipping was fast and this movie is a great movie if you like British comedy. However, it is a little bit juvenile. Still loved the acting and the story plot.
Published 5 months ago by Brisa L. Greenman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Robert Pattinson comedy?
I have watched a lot of Robert Pattinson's movies, I thought it was a good attempt at a comedy.The other people in the movie did help it along thought.
Published 6 months ago by Marilyn Thacker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pattinson, a great young actor, and his beginning into the world of...
He shows even then his ease in dealing with young women and his kind and lovely attitude toward women and girls. His mother and his sisters must have something to do with that.
Published 6 months ago by helty
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