A pure example of how sheer star power can lift what could have been a run-of-the-mill drama concerning a post-divorced family into something more, "Stepmom" is a decently constructed dramatic piece that mainly succeeds simply because of what its great cast pours into it.
What may surprise moviegoers is that it's also a story about a loved one's battle with cancer, something the film's ads so nicely avoid mentioning. With both of those elements (cancer and divorce) running hand in hand, Columbia/TriStar may have a tough sell on their hands once word gets out that this drama is more akin to "Terms of Endearment" and the recent "One True Thing" than the cinematic divorce story standard, "Kramer Vs. Kramer."
While it never quite manages to claw its way onto a level playing field with any of those three films, this picture is still an "enjoyable" enough diversion -- that is, as long as you classify tearjerker "wannabes" that evoke such emotional melodrama as such.
Although the film doesn't elicit the gut wrenching, wanna bawl your eyes out reaction that it's obviously and all too apparently trying to evoke, director Chris Columbus ("Home Alone," "Mrs. Doubtfire") does plug in enough lump in your throat, tear in your eye moments to please moviegoers who seem to enjoy going through such cinematic "torture."
Beyond that, the screenplay -- originally written by real-life stepmom Gigi Levangie, but then modified by a host of other screenwriters including Jessie Nelson ("Corinna, Corinna"), Steven Rogers ("Hope Floats"), newcomer Karen Leigh Hopkins, and "Rainman" scribe Ron Bass -- offers few surprises despite all of those fingers that had a hand in it.
Of course the whole cancer element is a bit of an unnecessary surprise, but it does supply the necessary and convenient catalyst for the characters to suddenly change their beliefs and behavior toward one another.
However, it's doubtful many moviegoers will have not already guessed that Isabel would slowly take over Jackie's motherly role before that's revealed. Even so, Columbus and his bevy of writers have made sure to introduce more than an ample amount of domestic "bumps" -- along with keeping the standard issue kids as antagonists for at least half the film -- to keep the proceedings halfway interesting.
As such, the rest of that burden falls onto the shoulders of the cast members and their performances, all of which are quite good. While some may be surprised -- and relieved -- that the filmmakers didn't take Susan Sarandon's cancer-related appearance to the usual cinematic extreme, they won't be shocked by her solid performance. Perfectly playing the jilted divorcee who takes out her anger on her ex-husband's new girlfriend and her inexperience at raising kids, Sarandon ("Dead Man Walking," "Thelma and Louise") is always believable in the role.
The same mostly holds true for Julia Roberts ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "Pretty Woman"), although her whole photography career -- which is nicely utilized in a later, sentimental scene -- often feels more like a plot contrivance than a "natural" occupation (not that Roberts couldn't be a photographer, it just feels a bit forced).
Removed from such settings, however, and Roberts does a fine job as the frustrated stepmom-to- be who tries her hardest to figure out how to placate the kids after being catapulted into that position.
The always reliable Ed Harris ("Apollo 13," "The Firm") is as good as ever, and the biggest complaint about the film (and any other where he's relegated to supporting status) is that he's not given enough screen time.
Granted, I realize this is the leading ladies' film, but Harris brings such natural dignity to his roles that it's a shame when he's not fully used. Supporting performances from Jena Malone ("Contact") and Liam Aiken ("Henry Fool") as the two kids dealing with divorce are fine as well.
While the whole cancer bit pushes this picture a bit too far into melodramatic, soap opera-like surroundings (such as having it all occur from Halloween until Christmas -- you know, those family heavy holidays), the great cast does their best to keep things afloat and, for the most part, they succeed.
Although I'll admit that this sort of film isn't one of my favorite genres -- especially when the manipulation is poured on too thick or when part of the cast dances around the house lip synching to some old song -- the film is easy enough to watch, and the stellar cast and their solid performances make it an okay, but not quite outstanding recommendation. We give "Stepmom" a 6 out of 10.