Sob Custódia

I watched this film today because I could relate to the description. This movie has a lot of emotion especially if you have a connection with the actresses. There are examples of just how easy it is for CPS to take your children away based on lies, assumptions or allegations.

I rarely comment on shows I watch but for some strange reason I felt I had to. I think all of the actors and actresses did an awesome job ! It is not an action movie so if you're looking for that, you're out of luck. I enjoyed the story and each person cast seemed to fulfill their role brilliantly. Especially Viola Davis, wish they would have focused a little more on her issue and Hayden's we never really got closure . . . . Overall excellent, can't really say a bad thing about it.

On the one hand, it is good to see Lifetime showcasing more quality material. Several years ago, a movie such as "Custody" would have been a rarity on Lifetime. On the other hand, this movie tried to do too much in an hour and three-quarters. There wasn't enough time to deal with the personal issues, so the legal issues got skimmed over lightly. Reviewer Da Rude makes some good points (although rather incoherent, unfortunately). The United States film industry is so fragmented right now. Too many people making ill-considered decisions that affect the quality of the final product. If "Custody" was conceived as the multi-part project which it should have been, the various themes and story lines could have been given the treatment they should have had. As it is, they weren't. Reviewer Da Rude, a resident of London, seems to have problems with US movies. Too bad, but he's right about this: The US film industry is going through a lot of turmoil right now. It has happened before, and the results have always been stronger output in the end. As far as "Custody" is concerned, Lifetime needs to be encouraged to press forward with the quality material, most particularly with quality actors such as Viola Davis. Having first-rate actors such as Ellen Burstyn, Patricia Kalember and Tony Shalhoub doing smaller roles needs to be seen in a positive light for TV movies. (The broadcast networks gave up on them years ago; reality shows and a LOT of American football have, sadly, pushed them aside.) "Custody" must be evaluated for the good direction it is taking. We need more such efforts.

Let me first get my angst out of the way. I'm referring to the useless review contributed by "Da Rude". It should read "Duh Rude". Unfortunately, I had to read the review three times to try to comprehend what the point was. To no avail. You sound like you have a problem with U.S. Made motion pictures, the Academy, and simply enjoy griping. Do you have a personal agenda against someone involved in the making of this film??

Sorry, I had to get that off my chest. As the other people contributing reviews of this film have essentially rated this an average "9", thus far, I agree. I've not to date, seen a performance less then excellent by Viola Davis and this film is no different. She just has a way of bringing real emotion to the screen as well as delivering a performance that gets you right in the chest. Her Co Stars do a terrific job as well and I felt the story was moving and thought provoking. It is no easy task telling a story about the legal separation of a child/children from a parent/parents. It is, obviously, a very tough subject to tackle and one which many people take a divisive stance on.

IMO, illustrating the dramatic course one navigates from the perspective's of a single Mother, Judge and all the people involved in doing a job aimed at protecting the welfare of children is not an easy one. Custody" does so with realism, empathy, and humanity.

This is not a feel good movie. It is not intended to be. It is, however, very much so worth watching and I believe most will get a glimpse into the tough process this film tackles, and will walk away happy they did.

I guess people don't read the information given here about films, but this was not a Lifetime movie. It was shown on Lifetime, to be sure, but it was edited to fit in their time frame. The movie is 1 hour and 44 minutes long. Lifetime condenses movies to under 90 minutes to fit in all their commercials. So we who saw it on Lifetime did not see the complete movie. Also, the movie was made in Spain, which should have made it obvious it was not a Lifetime production.

Anyway, aside from the reviews from people who didn't understand the origins of this movie, I have to agree with most of the reviews of the movie itself. The acting was good, even if Catalina Moreno was a bit over the top sometimes. The story line was good, too, showing how family courts are often overworked and understaffed, leading to all people being treated the same, regardless of their circumstances.

My only complaint is that I wish I could see the entire movie, instead of the edited one shown on Lifetime.