Chelsea Films
www.thenshefoundmefilm.com
Then She Found Me is the new flick from Helen Hunt, but it is not like her previous work. For one thing she has taken the role of director as well as the lead protagonist. This is the tale of a woman who goes through a series of heartbreaking changes in her life such as the lose of her husband, her adoptive mother and being found by her biological mother, all within 23 days!
This story was originally a novel written by Elinor Lipman, but the movie makes a few changes, the most important being the realization that April, Hunt’s character is desperate for a child. Oscar Winner Hunt has stared in amazing films such as Twister, and As Good As It Gets, but this is her feature film-directing debut and she has done a fine job. This film has a beginner sense about it, some common mistakes such as the boom popping up the top of a scene and a few jerky camera shots are made but all is forgive when such amazing actors help to hit home with this film.
This is a flick where family is the main reason behind all the events, and through this an audience experience laughter, the odd tear of emotion and some home truths. To get the best from her cast, Hunt supports each of the characters and together they work as a team amazingly.
Hunt herself is de-glamorized, becoming pale and lean, especially with the lack of make up. The way she portrays April is remarkable. After the loss of so many people in her life and finding those she never knew were there, she still has the strength to press on with the turmoil that is her life. Matthew Broderick plays April’s husband Ben, who is so child like and at time ignorant of what he has in his life, that you begin to wonder what the attraction to his character ever was; in the two subtle sex scenes with April, there is lack of love and emotion.Then there is the appearance of Bette Midler as Bernice Graves, April’s mother. There was no one better to play this character. Bernice is a talk show host; she is confidant, larger than life, the most energetic character on screen as well as being a drama queen but with a good heart and good intentions. Her downfall and part of the reason April has doubts over whether she wants to get to know her real mother is her incessant fib telling. The most abundant being that April was the result of a fling with Steve McQueen. Frank, the love interest played by Brit actor Colin Firth is a heartbroken man, left by his wife to look after two young children. His most prevailing aspect is his need to walk off his frustration, which is often, and his storming off can be quite humorous.
Then She Found Me may have a few mishaps with camera direction, but the interaction between characters and Hunt’s capable guidance makes this film an enjoyable film where an audience can relate to some aspects of the characters.
Michelle Moore