Stepmom (1998)

Not a wicked stepmom.

Stepmom starring Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon is a funny and moving film directed by Chris Columbus. Ed Harris also stars and jeez isn't he great in every movie?! I like Roberts in this film, she plays her role as a stepmother with humor and heart. Sarandon's character is a bit annoying but hey she's dying of cancer. Sad, sad, sad film, I highly recommend it! July 4, 2008

Really Moving Film

I just rented this because I was interested in seeing more movies with Julia Roberts, one of my favorite Hollywood actresses. i think she is beautiful and really gets into her parts. "Step Mom" is one of her best films. I'm not really a big Susan Sarandon fan but she was good in this movie. It revolves around the lives of the step mother conflcting with the mother from the previous marriage. The kids in this movie help liven up the movie and unfortunately havent been in any big name future films since. Jackie ends up getting cancer later in the movie which will bring tears to your eyes in some scenes. Isabel (Julia Roberts) is pretty much an artsy photographer who is considered "hip" by Jackie, the mother of the children. They have to put up with Isabel's poor motherhood instincts like accidentally "losing" one of the children in one scene. Later in the movie you grow to like both mothers. Even the father Luke gets likeable later in the movie as his character becomes more real. The cast of the movie is pretty talented. This is one of the better films Julia Roberts has been in. While "The Pelican Brief" is my all-time favorite of hers, "Stepmom" is still worth watching even though it's an older movie. Warning: if you're emotional be sure to bring some tissues with you while watching it. Definately worth the price. July 1, 2008

Stepmom

I love this movie! Julia Roberts, once again does a fantastic job at making her character vibrant, and very creative. The writer tells the story about a family in and out of crisis- and shows us how that no matter their challenges with each other- their efforts taken to forgive and persue understanding, allows them to connect in a love relationship with one another that was encouraging for my own person life. Thanks. June 13, 2008

"Mom, I'll hate her if you want me to."

Photographer Isabel Kelly (Julia Roberts) steps into the role of Stepmom when she moves in with her older boyfriend, Luke Harrison (Ed Harris). He has two children, a young boy named Ben (Liam Aiken) and a teenage girl named Anna (Jena Malone), with his ex-wife Jackie (Susan Surandon).

Jackie does everything she can to undermine the kids relationship with Isabel short of coming out and telling them to hate her. But it is implied. When she finds out that her breast cancer has returned she's worried about the kind of mother she's leaving her kids with. It comes down to deciding if she's going to continue to sabotage Isabel or help her to be the best Stepmom she can be.

Surandon is inspirational as the grief stricken mom trying to drink up every blessed moment she has left with her children while leaving them with fond memories of their mother. This film is a roller coaster of emotions: love, jealousy, hate, anger, regret, loss and so much more is portrayed within a few hours.

This is one of my favorite dramatic comedy films starring two of my favorite female lead actresses. It makes me laugh and cry every time I see it. This film is so relevant to today's families showing that children and parents don't have to choose sides and that all members can have an enriched involvement if everyone chooses to give a little, accept one another's uniqueness and realize that life is a rocky road no matter who you love. If you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend you do so and if it's been awhile then definitely revisit it. December 27, 2007

Classic

This is one of the best movies of Julia Roberts. Definitely a collection piece. All the three major actors are perfect in the character and I fell in love again with Julia Roberts after watching this movie. November 24, 2007

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