The Good Mother

Dreary, rather annoying film-adaptation of Sue Miller's book (directed by Leonard Nimoy!) has Diane Keaton in one of her weakest roles as a single mother sued for custody of her child by her ex-husband. Seems mom's new Bohemian boyfriend (Liam Neeson) is a bad influence, and after Keaton's little girl sees Neeson undressed and begins asking grown-up questions about sex, any viewer might understandably side with the ex (who is made to be the villain of the piece). Beginning with a puzzling prologue which hopes to show the different ways in which we view sexuality, Nimoy's take on this material is just confounding. Keaton never really develops a character, and I presume we're supposed to empathize with her simply because she's lovable Diane Keaton. Aside from some OK technical merits, the film is muddled beyond repair. * from ****

Painful as this film is - especially for women - it is accurate in its portrayal of the intrusions of the state on the lives of parents. Laws and practices vary by state, but Massachusetts is notable for its readiness to separate parents from their children for minor infractions or parenting the state disapproves of. It is a warning to parents to stay away from protective services if their beliefs are progressive in ways the state does not agree with.

I'm cautious about films with a message: they are too easily heavy-handed and preachy, or on the other extreme capable of producing a mass "understanding" that is actually untrue ("The Klansman/Birth of a Nation" comes to mind). Films dealing with sexual attitudes can very glibly preach either "damnation for transgression" or "freedom from repression" with equal superficiality. This film is remarkable for painting all its characters with dimension: no one is evil, but everyone can be weak, afraid, and make poor decisions with good yet fearful intentions. The acting is terrific, so you feel satisfied at having seen a movie of quality at the same time you feel frustrated, infuriated, and finally exhausted by the outcome of the plot. Another example of Leonard Nimoy's excellent qualities as a director, forever lost - I'm afraid - in the strange perception that his work in Star Trek makes all of his career somehow lightweight.

Divorces are so messy, it is hard to watch for me, because I see too many messy divorces, more than any enough for a child to deal with, this includes my parents and some other families around me.

The conclusion I got from it, these kind of custody battles aren't about the children well being, it's about your feud with your ex-soupse and to get some kind of revenge, none of this to do anything with the children, and you cause more harm to them, so can you can give yourself as high five and be proud you did it and tell yourself you did for your child.

I think this movie represents this really well, and the easiest situation to get custody and revenge on your ex, because people can't handle nakedness and openness in these situations, just simply can't, and no matter how sexually liberated we are, this would be the absolute worst thing for many people.

Not the best Diane Keaton performance unfortunately, but the script wasn't that good, to her defense. I can't decide what this movie wants me to think about the Liam Neeson character, villain? A person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time? Kinda one dimensional, messy-artist-type. Their relationship with Diane and the child wasn't really developed for me to make sense, none of the relationships are well developed to begin with. I prefer if the movie uses the time to develop these while we try to get to the point of custody battle, which we are all here for. If I don't have to deal with one dimensional characters, I can invest more in them and not just let my childhood trauma tell how it is supposed to be or feel about them. The movie touches on many subjects, but doesn't really say anything about them, there too many threads and once there are too many you can't collect them all and make a whole.

You can find better movies out there about divorce, mother daughter relationships and mothers who end up in a bad situation, because they did something the society tells you it's a mistake and have to fight for their children.

I am confused about what to say about this movie, as much as the movie about itself and on which subject it wants to make a point and a strong opinion about, a critique. This movie ''doesn't hold water'' to anything it tries to say.

Diane Keaton and Liam Neeson are great together, but the subject matter is hard to watch.

The points of view of the different characters are well presented. You can understand everyone's behavior and conclusions.

Would I have preferred a tidy, happy ending? Yes. But this movie doesn't take the easy way out. It tackles a difficult situation caused by "enlightened, progressive" thinking, and leaves you pondering. I so wanted to point out to the characters the early errors so the catastrophic ending could be avoided.

THE GOOD MOTHER presents one of the most honest portrayals of awakening female sexuality and committed love on film.