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Stepmom
1998 125 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.8
Drama, Romance, Comedy
Director: Chris Columbus
Trailers
Description
Jackie is a divorced mother of two. Isabel is the career minded girlfriend of Jackie’s ex-husband Luke, forced into the role of unwelcome stepmother to their children. But when Jackie discovers she is ill, both women realise they must put aside their differences to find a common ground and celebrate life to the fullest, while they have the chance.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$91.14M
Worldwide:
$159.71M
Starring
Julia Roberts
Actor
Susan Sarandon
Actor
Ed Harris
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1999
— Best Actress (Drama)
Key opinion
Stepmom is widely regarded as a deeply emotional and poignant family drama that resonates through its exploration of complex, blended family dynamics. While a minority of critics dismiss the narrative as sentimental and cliché-ridden, most viewers find the film’s themes of love, loss, and reconciliation to be profoundly moving and timeless.
| Emotion | The film succeeds as a powerful emotional experience that consistently evokes deep empathy and remains memorable for long-term viewers. | |
| Score | The musical selections, particularly the iconic rendition of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' serve as a highlight that elevates the film's warmth and emotional resonance. | |
| Acting | The child actors deliver natural, authentic performances that ground the more dramatic family conflicts. | |
| Direction | Chris Columbus receives praise for his sensitive and balanced direction, though some critics feel the narrative structure relies too heavily on predictable melodrama. | |
| Acting | The central performances from Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon are viewed by most as a compelling and nuanced duo, while dissenters characterize the characters as artificial or one-dimensional stereotypes. | |
| Screenplay | The script is lauded for its realistic handling of family tension and grief by many, but detractors argue it descends into cliché and over-sentimentalized situations. |