The Good Mother (1988 film)
The Good Mother is a 1988 American drama film and an adaptation of Sue Miller's novel of the same name. Directed by Leonard Nimoy, the film stars Diane Keaton and Liam Neeson in the leading roles. The Good Mother explores feelings and beliefs about children's exposure to adult sexuality and challenges society's growing reliance upon courts to settle complex private and ethical matters.[1]
| The Good Mother | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Leonard Nimoy |
| Produced by | Arne Glimcher |
| Screenplay by | Michael Bortman |
| Based on | The Good Mother by Sue Miller |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | David Watkin |
| Edited by | Peter E. Berger |
Production company | Touchstone Pictures Silver Screen Partners IV |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $14 million |
| Box office | $4,764,606 |
Plot
Anna Dunlap (Keaton), is a piano teacher who works part-time at a college laboratory and a recent divorcee who has custody of her six-year-old daughter Molly (Asia Viera). When Anna meets and falls in love with Leo (Neeson), an Irish sculptor who helps her to find true passion and fulfillment, her sexual liberation comes at a very high cost: Anna's ex-husband Brian (James Naughton) begins to question her new lifestyle. Worse, he accuses Leo of sexually molesting Molly and sues Anna for custody of their daughter.
Cast
- Diane Keaton as Anna Dunlop
- Liam Neeson as Leo Cutter
- Jason Robards as W. O. Muth
- Ralph Bellamy as Frank, Anna's maternal grandfather
- Teresa Wright as Eleanor, Anna's maternal grandmother
- James Naughton as Brian Dunlop
- Asia Vieira as Molly Dunlop
- Joe Morton as Frank Williams
- Fred Melamed as Dr. Payne
- Katey Sagal as Ursula
- Margaret Bard as Aunt Rain
- Nancy Beatty as Anna's Mother
- Barry Belchamber as Anna's Father
- Mairon Bennett as Young Anna
- Zachary Bennett as Young Bobby
- Scott Brunt as Eric
- Matt Damon as Extra
Reception
The film received mixed reviews.[2][3][4] On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 50% based on reviews from 12 critics.[5]
References
- Avins, Mimi (1988-11-20). "Commentary : Selling Out for the Sake of Expediency : 'The Good Mother'- What Rage? What Reason? - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- Maslin, Janet (1988-11-04). "Movie Review - The Good Mother - Review/Film; Passion vs. Parenthood in 'The Good Mother' - NYTimes.com". Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- "The Good Mother :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. 1988-11-04. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- SHEILA BENSON (1986-04-14). "MOVIE REVIEWS : 'Good Mother' Stuck in Ambiguity - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- "The Good Mother (The Price of Passion) (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes.