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Columbia Pictures newest
release "Step-Mom" stars Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts. Not only do these
superstars sizzle on camera, but they also take care of business in the background. They
are the executive producers of Step-Mom. Their excellent and believable on-screen
chemistry seems to come naturally to them. It's probably because of their good off-screen
professional and personal friendship. Even with these big demands, they prove that they
can handle their responsibilities. Sarandon plays Jackie Harrison, the divorced mother of children Ben and Anna. Their father Luke (Ed Harris) now lives with his girlfriend, Isabel (Julia Roberts), a fashion photographer. Isabel is very self-centered. Isabel is very self-centered, so it's hard for her to care for Luke's children during visits. The children both resent Isabel for her attentions to Luke, especially 12-year-old Anna. She is very disturbed by Luke's divorce from Jackie, and currently the impending Luke-Isabel marriage. The actress (Jena Malone) who plays Anna is very powerful. Under the character's circumstances, she is a person that a teenage girl could really connect with. During a conversation with her ex-husband, Jackie hears about this new development in Luke's life, his engagement to Isabel. Jackie fears that she will be overshadowed by Isabel in Anna and Ben's lives. Jackie battles to win the love and respect of her children from Isabel. Ultimately, Jackie must confront an even bigger personal challenge, which could result in losing what is most valuable to her. This forces her to make the most difficult choice of her life. Susan Sarandon's portrayal of a concerned mother is what any mom can relate to. It's the realistic minor day-to-day things, she says to the kids, like "What do you want for dinner?" Another "very mom thing" is remembering details like Anna's Tuesday horseback riding lessons switch to Thursdays. Her Oscar worthy performance is extremely moving. This becomes apparent during her struggle to deal with her feelings with Isabel in her life. Julia Roberts is superb as the immature step-mom. This is surely Roberts's best performance, because of all the different feelings she conveys. An outstanding example of her feelings is her coping with Ben and Anna. The PG-13 rating is do to profanity and adult themes. But it should be suitable for mature preteens and up. Step-Mom will appeal mostly to mothers and daughters, I highly suggest that you make a date with your mom to see Step-Mom. But there's no rule that men and boys can't enjoy it just as much!  1-8-99 |
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