User reviews

I saw this comment here - quote "looking at it from the moral point of view, the Bible, which is the ultimate moral authority, teaches us that homosexuality is wrong, so wrong it is and the matter cannot be up for discussion" this is the worst comment I ever read on this site. Narrow minded zealotry from the arrogant believers in the book who cannot think their own thoughts outside the straight jacket of fundamentalism. This was a good depiction of a true horror story of bigotry (a view of a straight male). How was what happened the best outcome for the child, or natural justice? This was on TV here in the UK today. It is hard to accept society has not advanced to accept things without reference to religious considerations.

I'm sure glad I don't live in such a hateful, narrow minded, black-and-white, religious extremist society such as the characters of this movie do. Knowing that this is a true story makes me want to vomit. Also, reading some of the IMDb user comments already posted here, I have to wonder how long the people of the world that want liberty from totalitarian hate mongers will have to wait... or if they'll ever get true freedom from dictators-moral or otherwise.

When I first saw this film, I was sure it had to be fictional because I found it incredible to believe in a country supposedly as advanced and civilised as the US that such a court could actually sanction separating a loving mother from her own child.

The film revolves around Jody Ann Shaffell, a decent, law-abiding woman who just happens to be a lesbian. But when her little son Zachary is born, her bigoted, vile-excuse-for-a-mother Nancy Shaffell takes her to court to sue for full custody of the child, citing that a lesbian household is not a suitable environment to raise children in. Valerie Bertinelli does a good job as Jody Ann, portraying her determination and unyielding love for her son while Vanessa Redgrave is just perfect in her role as Nancy, depicting the character's vindictiveness, prejudices and moral blindness.

This is a film not just about Jody Ann's plight as a mother who has lost her infant child for no justifiable reason but also one that questions just what goes through the minds of the judges who serve in US courts that their own personal beliefs are allowed to cloud their rulings, decisions that have an impact on people for many years to come. This is not a film for those with high blood pressure because it just leaves your blood boiling when Jody Ann and her son are continually failed by both the courts and the selfish Nancy. One can only hope that when Zachary is old enough, he realises what a hateful grandmother he has that she kept him away from his devoted mother and he goes on to sue the judge who made such a disgusting, bigoted ruling in the custody battle.

I've just finished seeing this movie for the first time on TV. All the way through I simply could not believe that time and again such decisions were made purely on the basis of the judge's homophobic bias. I kept waiting for someone to stand up and declare the obvious - that it was wrong to deprive a loving, caring mother of her child simply because some bigots don't approve of who she loves.

What amazed me most of all was that at the very start of the movie we were told that grandparents had no legal entitlement to visitation in Virginia. So it was appalling to me that even though there was no basis in law for granting custody to Jody Ann's appalling mother, simply because of a judge's personal bias custody was granted. It makes a mockery of the law and of the US legal system.

I came on here hoping to find that in the eight years since the movie was made commonsense and justice had prevailed and that Jody Ann had finally gotten to bring up her son in a loving, caring, nuturing home. But sadly it seems that bigots still rule in the good IL' US of A.

It also astonished me that no one thought to ask why the grandmother was insisting on the child calling her 'mamma'. This surely confuses the child and is a clear indication that the grandmother's motives aren't in the child's best interests but her own. Clearly, she wanted the child for herself from the start and her daughter's new lifestyle was just an excuse.

I was enraged by Jody Ann's brother and 'best friend'. Both of whom betrayed her and lied on the stand, simply because they were angry that she had chosen to love another woman. They should be ashamed of themselves.

All in all, a sad, depressing indictment of America, of its intolerance for those who don't fit the 'mom's apple pie' image and the grip the raving rightwing lobby has on this country.

I wish Jody Ann all the best. I am sure that when her son is grown and is able to understand the manipulations of his grandmother and the injustices done to his mother he will choose to be with her again.

because their mother finds out that she is a lesbian she takes off her child and she will.............. In this movie you can see how unfair america can be at some times. only because they can act it was a nice movie but that was all. further it was a stupid movie

This movie was touching and sad at the same time. I am a straight woman who believes in equal rights for everyone. However as disgusting as this was and what this woman went through , there is no way I would have chosen my girlfriend over my child. That child will grow up to hate even more and be taught the wrong things, by the grandparents and other family members especially, saying see she choose that woman over you.. I felt she should have told her girlfriend I love you! I don't agree with what the judge is doing but it's either you or my child, and I choose my child. Not putting a child through that back and forth to where she can't even have the child at all, I found that other disgusting and ridiculous.

This was shown on channel 5 in england on 5/9/03 and channel 5 not normally being a very good channel i was going to skip this movie, even though it sounded quite 'interesting'. But then I decided i was going to watch it and i was glad that I did. I felt so sorry for Jodi in the way that her mother is basically a Nazi German commander! And Zachary was so sweet. This movie really pulled at my heartstrings and I'm normally a hard hearted person! Made for TV movies aren't normally great, but I really quite liked this film and I'd watch it again. I'd quite like to know what happened in the end though! The character of Maggie Fergus was a good and likeable character too, I liked her fiery and funny nature.

Seeing the comments of Winston and Good.. something or other (definately forgettable as their comments) How can a gay or lesbian family be called dysfunctional in comparison to what the heterosexual society can offer.

Lets consider - with a gay or lesbian couple a child is a choice, often a sacrifice. For a man who prefers not to be with a woman must know that it is a woman who will give birth to the child. Likewise a woman who prefers to be with a woman knows that they need a man's sperm to create the child.

No simple biological accident but a decision to bring a child into this world. A child who is wanted. Not a discard of a biological act.

There will be good loving heterosexual relationships where the child is wanted, cherished, and loved. But with a same sex relationship it is more because of the difficulties and decisions needed to create the new life.

What are the bigots afraid of. Something they have tried to sweep and hide under their darkened rug covered minds. Gay people exist, have always existed, and will always exists. We are natural as they are documented cases of homosexual animals. Gay people are born they way they are. They cannot be created, nor does it mean that the children they raise will be automatically gay.

BUT.. and this is the important part.. The Children will grow up to be accepting of gay people. And will not listen or support the bigots or the narrow minded folks who just want to spread fear.

With many cultures homosexuals are accepted at part of society with their own values and experiences to offer.

We are people. We bleed when we are cut. Weep when we are hurt, and have feelings to our loved ones and to our children just as strong and just as powerful as any other humans.

It is also interesting that one of the weapons of the bigots is to reduce someone they do not like from a person to a symbol. Symbols are easy to hate. To use as a scapegoat. To bring under the one label.

So next time you wish to discriminate against someone for their race, greed, religion, or sexuality.. Just think you would you feel in their shoes.. to be the recipient of that hate.

I am sure that so many injustice would be overturned overnight.

Just the thoughts from an older.. and hopefully wiser person.

Dave

I think it sad that in this time and age there is so much homophobia.As a lesbian I can relate to the two main characters.I think lesbians and gay men should have the right to raise a child,get married and have all the equal rights as heteros do.No one should be discriminated no matter what their sexual preference should be.We are all just human beings and we should all accept each other one way or the other and stop all this hate in the world.What is so wrong in two women or two men loving each other? We are not harming anyone.It's just love no matter what sexual preference,religion,or race the person is.Is it so wrong to love one another with all the hate that goes on in the world everyday.

Even if you don't already know the outcome of this, you are bound to get fired up! And you should. It is more relevant than ever today, with Congress trying to pass a Constitutional Amendment, not only stating that some relationships are more valid than others, but making it so that no one can even be allowed to think otherwise! Maybe it's just the script, but this movie makes it look as of the mother is not so much against her daughter's relationship, as she is using the state courts' bigotry to get back at her daughter for not letting her be as much a part of raising the child as she'd like. As bad as it seems, the real case is worse. But this is a great movie to watch if you need a reminder of why we have separation of church and state, and why we're in danger of losing it.

I've seen this movie several times,and it always makes me angry when it comes to the scene of the grandmother and the policeman yanking the little boy out of his mothers arms.i really wished i had been there during that scene,i wanted to tell jodys meddling mother exactly what i thought of her.i didn't think the court system was fair to her,her sexual orientation is nooone else's business,what did that have to do with raising her son?the state of virginia needs to have their laws changed,next thing you know,theyll be taking kids out of their homes because the parents play monopoly or something.the virginia legal system really stinks.i hope she eventually got her son back.

Throughout the movie, and then reading about the woman afterwards, I felt complete and utter anger at the legal system for allowing something like this to happen. How dare they be able to decide what is best for a child, on the basis of his mother being a lesbian? This movie literally made me want to throw things, and by the end, I was crying in desperation at how sad Zachary sounded, and shaking my head when the verdict was said. I don't think I could have hated Nancy anymore than I did.

Valerie Bertinelli was amazing in this, though.

I think people...mainly lawyers and homo-phobics should take a long, hard look at this movie, and see how things like this can affect people. By the end, what Nancy saw as the best thing for Zachary, was the worst thing she could have ever have done, and it's a shame that in the end, the real Jody Ann Shaffell had no fight left, and gave up.

I just saw this movie and I am still shocked. Who could be better mother, friend and parent for child then biological mother? There is not enough words to explain how sick I feel only thinking about Zach's grandmother and uncle. They are more mentally sick then Jody and her life partner. Jody is happy knowing that somebody respect her and care about her - what else could make mother happy knowing that her child is protected? Was Jody more protected with man? I don't think so - the man hurt her - but mother don't believe it, ha, ha, ha - what type of mother is that? Caring? No way; if Jody's mom really care about her own daughter, she will never even dream of doing something like this. Shame of you grandma and shame of you uncle, too. I would like to know what ever happened with Jody and Zach? Are they finally together?

I just saw the picture on television, and I was very angry. How can a mother do such thing to her own daughter only because she loves another woman? Thank God I live in the Netherlands where gay people can marry, have children and even adopt children. Because the only thing that matters is that the child is raised in a loving family with parents who take good care of them, and it doesn't matter if the parents are heterosexuals or homosexuals. Like any other child the most important thing in it's life is to know that it is wanted, loved, taken care of and safe. So I think it's really time that people change their way of thinking and see what is the most important. And that is love.

This is, for the first half, a great relationship movie if you can ever catch it on cable or some other medium. I gave it an 8 out of 10 because, as a TV movie, it wasn't quite as high quality as a theatrical movie on the same subject would be. For that matter, it's not quite as deep or well-written as the somewhat similar "A Question of Love"--a TV drama starring Gena Rowlands and Jane Alexander on the subject of a lesbian couple fighting to keep custody of their kids. But it's still a great little movie. Unlike the other film, this one shares more of the relationship between the two women. Valerie Bertinelli is surprisingly good as a woman who falls in love with another woman, for the first time, and doesn't have the usual stereotypical reaction to it--freaking out. Her slow realization is believable and well-acted. The romance is handled with understanding, sensitivity, and warmth. Colleen Flynn, Bertinelli's co-star, is likable and authentic. I will leave the courtroom side of the film for the viewer to judge.

I have seen this film a thousand times, and i love it! Bertinelli is a fantastic actress as is Redgrave. This film is the reason why we live in such a closed minded society, i mean it's awful to think that we live in the 21st Century yet we still have people out there that is still living in the past, were Homosexuality was either ILLEGAL or NEVER SPOKE ABOUT!! I mean Jesus Homosexuality has been around since the start of time, some of the worlds famous actors/actresses and artists were gay/lesbian.......there was Dusty Springfield, James Dean, Rock Hudson, Tennessee Williams, James Baldwin, Elton John.......Jesus Christ even Marie Antoinette, James I, Julius Caesar, Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelangelo, and Leonardo Da Vinci!!!! I mean HELLO PEOPLE...............WAKe UP. I think what Kay Bottoms done was AWFUL and she should've been happy that her daughter was happy with someone she loves whether its a woman or a man. I think sharon done the right thing and fought for her son, but if Kay Bottoms ever put her grandsons feelings first and thought of the emotional stress that he would go through then she would've let sharon be a mom and she would have seen that being gay/lesbian isn't a disease it's how god made her and if she even wanted sharon to be happy and be a great mom she would have sat her down and spoke to her like any other NORMAL PERSON!!!!

This is the best film I have ever seen. For some reason I can't find it to buy on video or DVD but I have it taped twice and watch it most weekends. The acting is all great with the possible slight exception of vanessa redgrave's accent. The story is very sad but America seems rather backward in accepting homosexuality and this portrayal is a great way of telling people that the situation needs to change. 10/10.

I believed America to be a democratic society fighting for freedom, yet this film which is a true story, fills me with horror, that firstly a mother should have custody of her daughters baby just because she is gay. Also the fact that her mother was given custody of Zachary, even though she had testified in court that she had known her own daughter was being molested from the age of 12, is that moral?. If we are to believe that only heterosexual couples should have a family, then are we going to ignore the abuse that many children suffer at the hands of so called normal parents. Why should gay parents be put under pressure for wanting a family. My heart goes out to this mother who has suffered intolerable abuse not only from her own mother but that of her own countrymen. I only hope this wrong will be put right,it was a heart wrenching film.

This sad story about who should have custody of a little boy brings up two interesting subjects: 1) Why is the State interested in family matters? and

2) How should the State legislate that interest?

In this age of discussion about creating an amendment to the constitution which defines the concept of marriage (as excluding same-sex couples), the movie provides the viewer with a taste for how the State involves itself in family affairs. In spite of the sadness of this story, one has to agree that the State does have an interest in these matters as they relate to the State's continued existence.

Governmental bodies are correct to pass laws that support the State---otherwise anarchy would ensue. The difficult part of such legislating is deciding where and to what extent the State should exert its influence. That is the often thankless job of elected officials, who usually do not possess any more insight into such matters than do we citizens. American society is faced with social ideas (such as homosexual parents) that have not been accepted by all, and friction and disappointment are the result. Enlightened laws take time to be enacted.

I applaud the producers of this film for combining social drama with real-life legal issues in a sober manner. Yes, I was saddened by the situation of the young mother. But I was also aware---especially in the courtroom scenes---that there is more than one way to look at her situation.

One gripe---a minor one---I couldn't figure out when and where the photo of the boy standing in the corner (punishment) was taken. This photo bolstered the prosecutor's argument that the boy was not being treated well by his mother and her lover. Maybe I missed something when I switched to another channel during a commercial break, or maybe editing eliminated a scene which explained it. When the photo showed up in court, I was perplexed.

Jody Ann Shaffel.Her real name is, Sharon Lynne Bottoms. Her moms name is, Pamela Kay Bottoms.I watched the movie and was very touched.Would like to know where they all stand today.Would also like to know how the relationship is between mom and daughter?If that is how American courts can rule ,I really would not like to live in America.Would also like to know how Sharons sons relationship is with his mom and his granny ? Now that he has a say in the matter,and that the whole thing was meant to be about him.Maybe he should be allowed to approach the courts and let them know his side of the story so that they can see how a decision made by a court lives through.