What Makes a Family
Our Rating:   L Factor: Lesbian Film Short Take: Lesbian child custody battle film starring Brooke Shields, Cherry Jones and Whoopi Goldberg. Alternate Titles: |
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| Year: 2001 Duration: 120 min Language: USA/English MPAA: Not Rated |
Director: Maggie Greenwald Writer: Robert L. Freedman Starring: Brooke Shields, Cherry Jones, Anne Meara, Al Waxman, Whoopi Goldberg, Jordy Benattar |
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This is one of the best lesbian child custody case films. It originally aired on Lifetime and is based on a true story.
Janine (Brooke Shields) and Sandy (out lesbian Tony winner Cherry Jones) are happily partnered and living in Florida. They decide to have a child, and Sandy gives birth to Heather. When Heather (Jordy Benattar) is five, Sandy succumbs to Lupus and passes away, leaving a distraught Janine.
Enter Sandy’s parents Evelyn (Anne Meara) and Frank (Al Waxman), who take custody of Heather from Janine. What follows is heartbreaking, since Janine is not a legal parent in Florida, where gay and lesbian adoptions are not permitted. Terry Harrison (Whoopi Goldberg) is the civil rights lawyer who takes up the case.
As you might imagine, the film is a real tear jerker, but worth it. Directed by Maggie Greenwald (Songcatcher, The Ballad of Little Jo). Co-produced by Barbra Streisand and Whoopi Goldberg. (AB)