Customer Reviews

Then She Found Me

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Released earlier this year, Baby Mama covers the same emotional territory but in much broader slapstick terms, while this 2008 serio-comedy is driven far more by character than situation. In this case, the protagonist is 39-year-old April Epner, a New York kindergarten teacher who was raised in a close-knit Jewish family and desperately wants the biological connection of a birth child before her alarm clock goes off. She marries fellow teacher Ben, an inarticulate schlub with a terminal case of the Peter Pan Syndrome. After a brief time, he wants out of the marriage, and at almost the same time, April's adoptive mother Trudy dies. Not even a month goes by before April's biological mother suddenly shows up in the form of the brazenly overbearing but genuinely likeable Bernice Graves, a cable talk-show hostess who is something of a local media celebrity. If life was not complicated enough, April also finds herself drawn to Frank, the single father of one of her pupils. Unlike Ben, he feels the same about April but is fighting his own bitterness about his own recent divorce.

Not only does Helen Hunt star as April, but she also co-wrote the screenplay with Alice Arlen and Victor Levin and makes her big-screen directorial debut. Granted she's more impressive as an actress than a filmmaker, but as a director and writer, she makes the most of a storyline that stacks the deck a bit like a Lifetime TV-movie. There are enough realistic surprises that take the plot off the rails in a good way. Looking gaunt and avoiding much make-up, Hunt is really playing a variation of the beaten-down waitress she played in As Good As It Gets, as she carries that same constantly pained expression of disappointment and looks about to explode during moments of emotional duress. However, a decade later, Hunt inhabits the character more naturalistically this time and with a deeper sense of vulnerability and haggard exhaustion. Perhaps to minimize any unnecessary dramatic risk, Hunt cast the other principal roles with actors playing familiar parts. Matthew Broderick effectively portrays Ben as the perpetually dazed man-child he is, while perennial love interest Colin Firth gives texture to the seemingly ideal suitor Frank, especially as he edges toward the breaking point in tolerating the sum of April's foibles.

In one of her increasingly rare screen appearances, Bette Midler gives a scene-stealing performance as Bernice. She lights up the movie with the character's unfettered sense of abandonment while gradually exposing the secrets that threaten to undermine her newly found relationship with her daughter. Other parts are played with minimum fuss - Ben Shenkman as April's physician brother Freddy feeling put-upon for having a biological tie to their mother, and Salman Rushdie (yes, the controversial author of The Satanic Verses which brought him a death sentence from the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989) as April's doctor. Hunt provides the principal actors, especially herself, plenty of good, meaty scenes with opportunities for bravura moments, and they do deliver. It just doesn't quite come together as a whole by the end, and that may be that Hunt is so used to the sitcom format of the long-running series, Mad About You. The incomplete result is that some laughs feel a bit contrived, some scene transitions seem jarring, and some expected character revelations are given short shrift. Nonetheless, the dramatic developments toward the end carry the emotional impact necessary to make the movie truly affecting, and Hunt should be given full credit for a most auspicious debut as a filmmaker.

In a featurette on the DVD release version of THEN SHE FOUND ME writer (with Alice Arlen and Victor Levin) /producer/director Helen Hunt shares a ten year journey to have a film made of a novel by Elinor Lipman. Her cast shares in the very sentimental story of Hunt's devotion and seemingly endless charisma and abilities. The explanation for making this budget film are in many ways more successful than the film, a work the cast seems determined to classify as a comedy but a work that is far more a human drama.

April Epner (Helen Hunt) is married to fellow schoolteacher Ben Green (Matthew Broderick) and longs to have a baby before her advancing age prevents her dream. April was adopted as an infant by a Jewish couple who subsequently gave birth to April's brother Freddy (Ben Shenkman): April has always longed to have been Freddy's biological equal, wondering what it would feel like NOT to be adopted. April's busy life implodes: Ben has decided he doesn't like his life and leaves April, April's mother dies, April meets Frank (Colin Firth) a recently divorced writer and father of two children, and April is contacted by a man who can put April in touch with her birth mother - popular TV talk show hostess Bernice Graves (Bette Midler). And if these turns of events weren't traumatic enough, April discovers that she has become pregnant by Ben and Ben is unsure whether he can handle the restructuring of his life to accommodate April. Cautiously April and Frank begin a rather tenuous courtship which is almost immediately threatened by April's discovery of her pregnant state. April and Bernice meet, exchange backgrounds, and make pacts to test their biologic relationship. How each of these characters makes promises that eventually damage each other and then resolve in unexpected ways becomes a study of the meaning of love and compassion among fragile human beings.

While not a satisfying story on every level and a film too cluttered with inconvenient editing choices, the cast is strong and obviously committed, and the story (neither a comedy or a drama but a mixture of the two) tests credibility. But there are some fine moments and the lessons in human behavior are worth examining. Not a great movie but a strong little small budget film. Grady Harp, September 08

Ok, I tried. I really, really tried not to compare the movie with the book. I loved the book, a tender, poignant journey of love in which April, albeit unwillingly, learns to accept the difficult person who gave birth to her and slowly learns the devastating truth of her past. But Elinor Lipman says she does not mind the fact that Helen Hunt basically took her book and scissored away everything but a few names and the center plot of the book, and came up with this idiotic film about ticking biological clocks instead.

But I have to wonder, how can she not mind? This hash of a movie bears little resemblance to what it was based on, so why did Helen Hunt not just find someone to write a new screenplay about a woman who wanted to have a baby? Why did she take a brilliant story, with fabulous characters, and turn it into this really rather dumb movie?

In the book, Bernice is difficult but ultimately complex and suprisingly sympathetic by the end, but Bette Midler's Bernice is just a cardboard cutout of the same person. And it's a shame, because Midler would have played the "real" Bernice beautifully if she had had a decent script to work with. And in the book, April is a bit uptight, but not the brittle, haggard neurotic that is portrayed here. And while Colin Firth is, as usual, great to look at, his character is poorly written as well. The male "hero" of the book, Dwight, and his relationship with April, are so appealing, that I cannot believe these two annoying men and their shallow interactions with the main character are supposed to replace that.

I did give this movie two stars because I liked Salman Rushdie playing the part of the doctor and I liked the sweet little twist at the end. But the whole time I watched it, I couldn't help thinking of the wonderful book at home on my shelf and asking, "Why, oh why, did someone have to screw it up so very badly?"

This was an impressive movie. Independent, yes. Full of surprises, yes. Helen Hunt directed the movie as well as starred in it. I have always admired her as an actress ever since as good as it gets with jack nicholson. This is a movie about a woman getting older that wants a child. She gets married in the beginning, and then her husband decides he isnt ready for the pressure. He knows she wants a baby, but he isnt sure he is ready for the responsibility.

Depressed and alone, she finds solace in a divorced father of two who is semi-angry, semi-depressed, and in a way, ready to move on. She ignores his advances at first, but finally realizes it is time to move on from the husband she believed to be the one.

I love Colin Firth in this movie, he has an excellent display of passion and anger at each event that happens to him. He seems to be a mate of challenge for our heroine, but at the same time the potential for a better future.

Bette Midler was also equally superb. She played the crazy, sometimes destructive liar pretty well. She is very self centered, and changes the subject frequently, but you cannot help but resist her.

Excellent from all angles, a must see. It is too bad it was dubbed an independent piece, as not everyone knows about it. We have an independent theater that just shows these types of films. I will be buying it, but it is definitly worth a watch over and over again.

This movie starts with a Jewish wedding. In the next scene a few months later, the bride's mother is dying in the hospital but still berating her adopted daughter for not having children. In the next scene, the groom played by Matthew Broderick admits having an affair; the next scene, the mother dies; the next, a woman shows up claiming to be the bride's birth mother; the next, the bride played by Helen Hunt, an elementary school teacher, sees the father of one of her students (Colin Firth) and it's LOVE at first sight; the next, she's sleeping with him (with his two small kids in the house); the next, she's pregnant; the next, she's making out with Broderick in a car in the middle of the street in broad daylight; the next, Firth is pissed; the next, she discovers the birth mother (Better Midler) lied to her; the next, she discovers she really is the birth mother; the next, she's having a miscarriage --- and so it goes, on and on, one stupid thing after another in this incoherent, unfunny, unwitty, uninsightful and often yucky movie. (I'm giving it two stars because I reserve one star for the really godawful howlers that I can't even watch to the end).
Here, none of the characters are convincing. Firth does his usual Mr. Darcy thing but seems to have the mind of a 14-year-old in the body of a late 40-something. Midler has the mind of a 12-year-old in the body of a late 60-something. Broderick, the mind of a 10-year old etc etc...
One good thing: Helen Hunt seems to be allowing herself to age naturally instead of doing the Hollywood botox thing. One bad thing: the various Jewish bits interspersed here for no good reason and without reverence for the reality of Judaism.
Two thumbs down.

I didn't like this movie at all. It had a cast of actors that I normally enjoy but the way they were cast and the dialogue they were given made me dislike their on-screen characters. Hunt herself looks practically elderly and she is supposed to be an attractive 39 year old. Broderick is as whiny and creepy as everything I've seen him in lately. Colin Firth was erratic and outright ugly most of the time as if they told him to just act as angry and frazzled as possible. The actors only flesh out their roles briefly here and there and are cardboard cutouts most of the time - especially Helen in the lead role. Only Bett Midler's character had any actual life and energy in her. She brought some fresh air, even some heart, to her scenes but it wasn't enough to cast off the gray that hung over this film. If you want to see what it looks like to have life dump on shallow people then watch this film. If you want to see a strong character push through the challenges of life and rise above their circumstances you may be, like me, disappointed. I do think this is one of those love it or hate it films and for me it was the latter.

I found this movie at my local library and when I saw the great cast I thought I'd give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. It is a quiet movie about characters but the plot had some surprising twists that were very realistic. The acting was the great part. Everyone (Helen Hunt, Matthew Broderick, Colin Firth, Bette Midler, Alan Shenkmen)were extraordinary. I really give Bette Midler kudos for not being over the top. She was spot on with her character and a breath of fresh air to watch. I recommend this movie.

Mr. Uyeshima's review provides a wonderful and accurate description of this film. I have little to add, but do recommend Then She Found Me, if the viewer understands that this is not a mainstream Hollywood romance. Those seeking yet another reprisal of a Colin Firth as Darcy to a modern day Elizabeth Bennett treatment probably will be disappointed. The film has many layers, with a primary focus on betrayal, not just formulaic romantic love. I read some complaints that reviewers didn't find the characters likable and found Ms. Hunt not glamorous enough. One of the things I enjoyed most was more realistic, complex portrayal of human foibles than we're often given in film today. I laughed when I read the comments about Ms. Hunt's appearance, because this basically is what you look like when it all comes crashing down around you. You can relate to these characters. They are quite imperfectly human.

I like it. This is a film for adults, which is a such rarity these days. There is a lot of heart to the story and its characters. Lots of lovely subtleties in scenery, music, costuming, etc. The cast is superb, comedy is generally smartly written and well delivered. Formulaic aspects to some story lines, but it was thought-provoking overall, and well worth viewing.

I'm a fan of Helen Hunt as an actress and am proud to see such a strong directorial debut. I hope she continues. I really recommend checking out the Special Features section of the DVD, especially the interviews and featurette. Those interested in film making will enjoy Ms. Hunt's commentary, much of which focuses on the creative detail of telling the story, especially with little budget and limited time.

I think this film deserved more of a chance than it got. It's not a "chick flick," fluffy romance or Lifetime movie. It's an adult comedy-drama with a thought-provoking theme and wonderful performances. Not a perfect film, by any means, but better in its genre than I've seen in awhile.

A lovely little film featuring 2 of my favorite actors - Bette Midler and Colin Firth. Both were in fine form! Ms. Midler's comic timing is impeccable. And if you are a Firth fan - there is much to enjoy here. It's nice to see Mr. Firth get a chance to move beyond the repressed Englishman (which he does exceptionally well.) He seems very relaxed in the role - as if he is having quite a bit of fun (although I find it hard to believe Ms. Hunt's character could have ever been "torn" between Firth and Matthew Broderick. That was a bit beyond my ability to "suspend disbelief";) Salman Rushdie as the gynocologist was an inspired bit of fun;) And finally, Ms. Hunt - please eat something. I enjoy your work - but I was visually distracted by the protruding bones. Then She Found Me

This story could have been told to me in real life, it is not the fairy tale story we usually see in Colin Firth or Helen Hunt movies. The ending is too rushed, with several key scenes left out. (For example, what happened with the IVF? What's the deal with Colin Firth, and how long did it take for him to forgive her? Why are they not together? Whatever happened to Matthew Broderick? Is Bette Midler still involved in Helen Hunt's life, or on they on the outs again? How difficult was it to obtain this chinese kid?) This was really disorienting, with no cues as to how much time had passed between scenes (months? years?) I was hoping to find these scenes in the bonus features, but instead there is just a long series of boring interviews where the actors drone on and on about how wonderful they all are. Skip those!
This movie is really different than the book, where the focus is on how the bio mom is a chronic liar. The focus in this movie is how you can't trust anybody, giving the film a pessimistic tone.
No happy ending, unless you're rooting for chinese orphans. Why would a deeply religious Jewish character adopt one?
Salman Rushdie was surprisingly good. Bette Midler played a caricature of herself. Matthew Broderick seemed to be sleepwalking. Helen Hunt seemed emaciated and fatigued. Colin Firth was an old curmudgeon (he's much better in the Bridget Jones movies!).