As They Made Us

This film is rife with poorly developed characters and cheezy, cloying script. I tried to watch it longer based on these positive reviews, but I am choking on the cheeziness. Give it a miss.

However, very hard to watch. Brilliant acting. True to life, extremely heartbreaking. Keeps you there through the entire film. Recommended if you can handle the filming of human pain and what families do to one another.

I love call me Kat. I love Dustin Hoffman. But this is so over the top. No redeeming characters or plot. Not at all realistic. Candace Bergman as the mother is so unlikeable that it ruins the whole story.

First off, I am not a Mayim Bialik fan, as a person. But that has nothing to do with her talent in the writing, directing, producing area of this film. I am glad I didn't know it was so much her when I started to watch it - otherwise I am afraid my prejudices against her would have kept me from viewing a really good movie.

This is about the complexity of a messed up family - and what family isn't totally messed up? And this family has made it an art form.

It has 2 great actors, Dustin Hoffman and the ever surprising Candice Bergen and a further ensemble of younger ones orbiting Hoffman and Bergen.

So, if you can handle some rough family dynamics (normal), give it a go.

Just a regular story about life, chapters, transitions, focused on how one Jewish gal apparently leans into her faith to make it through (we are left to assume). Well worth the watch even if you are not Jewish. Also, kudos MB for such a daring, bold move, not only P+D, but also WRITING. Well done. IHS.