Immediate Family (1989) User Reviews

you might want to see it

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 19 March 2006]

"Immediate Family" is a look at the vicissitudes of adoption. Glenn Close and James Woods play Linda and Michael Spector, a middle-aged couple who have never been able to have children. They meet with a younger, economically strapped couple to discuss adopting from them, but further complications ensue.

I will admit that this isn't the ultimate masterpiece, but it's the sort of movie that people should see before they adopt, just to understand the issues. Equally as good as Close and Woods are Mary Stuart Masterson and Kevin Dillon, as the young couple having the baby but having doubts about giving it up. A pretty interesting movie.

Well, Somewhat Immediate

[thesar-2 · 7/10 · 8 December 2019]

30th Anniversary: 1989 - the Best Year in Cinema Marathon Film #82/100: "Immediate Family" (2nd Viewing.) My memory did NOT serve me right on this film. I *know* I saw this when it first came out 30 years ago and I recall a much longer and more in-depth drama/court/law case against the two parties, but there was NONE of that here. Maybe there was a Director's Cut I saw? Not sure, but this is a straight forward story of a loving couple adopting an unborn child of another loving couple, only one family (the former) who's well off and can provide for the child. Last minute, or post?, the real Mommy has second thoughts and we'll see how that plays out. Really good performances from solid actors and nicely shot, it's only shortcoming was the glossed over real emotions that come with mothers-to-be giving up their unborn child to strangers.

Side note: My first nephew was a product of this exact situation. My sister was pregnant at 17 (gave birth at 18) and realized, or talked into by my parents and/or church, she couldn't care for the child. A VERY well-off family stepped in and adopted the child. Nicely, he was born on Christmas Day, the year of this movie: 1989.

The Performances Trump the Predictable

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 23 June 2010]

"Glenn Close and James Woods are Michael and Linda Spector, a mature, successful couple who have everything it takes to be parents… except a baby. Mary Stuart Masterson and Kevin Dillon are Lucy and Sam, a teenage couple who have a baby on the way… but aren't ready to be parents. Director Jonathan Kaplan and screenwriter Barbara Benedek mix laughter and tears in this funny, uplifting look at two very different couples who unexpectedly find a common bond and ultimately bring out the best in each other. Dazzling, funny performances bring a touching humanity to this slice-of-life comedy with a big heart."

The above synopsis, trimmed of its references to Academy Awards and cast credits, is how it appears on video sleeves from Columbia Pictures. But, "Immediate Family" is not a "slice-of-life comedy" with "funny performances." Perhaps they are referring to a couple of scenes where family dog "Ellen" wrestles with Ms. Close… or, maybe it's the abundance of bratty kids on screen. The misbehaving youngsters are there to show viewers Close and Mr. Wood really, REALLY want a child. Both they and the donating couple are so sweet and huggable, you just know they will make wise decisions for little William… or Andrew...

****** Immediate Family (10/27/89) Jonathan Kaplan ~ Glenn Close, James Woods, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kevin Dillon

Wonderful Little Story

[mmitsos-1 · 20 January 2005]

This film is worth watching for Masterson's performance alone. This drama tells the story of a couple in their late thirties/very early forties who decide to adopt a child after unsuccessful attempts of having their own. The portrayal of the adoption process and its typically attendant series of frustrations appear quite realistic. Unfortunately, another reviewer for IMDb has already given the ending away. However, when Mary Stuart Masterson's character enters the couple's life, it is very touching, and you almost wish the couple would adopt her as well as her baby (I did, anyway). Watching Masterson's character walking around the baby room that the couple decorated is worth watching the entire film, as is the ending. Kevin Dillon delivers a very nice performance, as do, as always, Glenn Close and James Woods. Bring Kleenex.

A sickly succession of trial and error, contrasted with smiles all around...

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 1 April 2008]

Mary Stuart Masterson attempts to give a subtle, thoughtful, nuanced performance as a pregnant, unwed teenager about to give up her soon-to-be-born baby to a married couple who have chosen adoption, but the cutesy-coy writing here defeats her--and everyone else. Glenn Close and James Woods are credible as the prospective parents desperate to have a family, but neither is given much of a character to play, and Close in particular has some fearsome dialogue ("She's going to have a boy! How do I know? I saw the penis!"). Kevin Dillon is cringe-worthy as Masterson's thuggish, chain-smoking boyfriend, and the feel-good trimmings which dot the narrative are pure balderdash. Only for gullible viewers. *1/2 from ****

subtle vignettes make the movie

[schell2 · 9/10 · 21 August 2008]

As someone who went through much of what the movie portrays, I think it was beautifully written and felt true to life. I think the most wonderful thing about this movie are the subtle vignettes - like when Michael Spector is at a baseball game and sees a boy on his dad's shoulder ... everything becomes slow motion around it. And I absorbed the subtle shots of Linda dealing with everyday life and job, while going through treatments ... not many words had to be spoken to understand her sadness and stress. The insensitive doctors, friends, and the imperfections of Michael and Linda were important to understanding the layers involved. There were some touching and subtle moments between the Linda and Lucy that were great to see. Lucy's character was likable and genuine. A few years after this movie was released, I entered into an open adoption. When listing my favorite movies of all time, this one makes the list of my top ten, and I often recommend it to friends going through a similar situation.

Wonderfully written, realistic portrayal of adoption's difficulty

[trpdean · 10 September 2002]

I happened upon this on television. I remember when it was released in the theaters, but as a single man, it hadn't exactly been my cup of tea.

Well, it's wonderful. The portrayal of the two couples is so very well written, so believable, so realistic, so interesting. The acting is simply superb - these actors make these people so sympathetic, so real.

How wonderfully written this is. There's nothing formulaic about the way these people speak, the way they smile at each other, the small jokes they make, how they move and interact, the awkwardnesses that arise or dissipate, the unspoken sense of threat. Each character seems quite individual.

I can't single out any one actor - they were all just wonderful. I'm nowhere close to this situation - yet I was very moved. One thing I loved was simply showing how these two couples related to each other - and the different ways they express warmth toward one another.

The only things I disliked were the excessive use of music - (the fact that I'm not a fan of Van Morrison hurt) it felt like padding. I also thought the ending was somewhat pat.

All in all, this is really top notch - it shows what talent can do - even where you've no intrinsic interest in the subject.

Touching

[fullquiver-34782 · 10/10 · 24 October 2020]

Well worth watching. Excellent acting; realistic story; and good music. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Heartwarming

[1fortheroad · 22 July 2002]

Immediate Family is a heartwarming tale about four people who's lives are interwoven by one thing: a baby. Glenn Close stars as a frazzled woman who desperately wants to have a baby with her husband. When it becomes apparent that it can't happen, the couple looks into adoption. Through this, they meet up with a young, unmarried couple who are expecting their first child and want to give it to a nice family. The whole movie revolves around whether are not the young couple will actually go through with the adoption. Glenn Close is absolutely convincing as the very eager, very frightened "mother-to-be". For anyone who's ever loved a child, this is a must see.

Another movie proving the 80's era of excellence.

[ScottishDude · 15 May 2003]

The movie Immediate Family is one of those rare films that never reach the public in a big way. But, the people that do see it are usually impacted greatly on the way to handle adoption and pregnancy at an early age. The cast:Glenn Close, James Woods, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Kevin Dillon are just the right mix to produce a movie of this genre. If you like baby flicks, I suggest you try out this one. Yet another example of 80's greatness.

Rating:8/10 stars

excellent

[jjispi · 8 January 2002]

This movie was an excellent follow up for actress Glenn Close, after Fatal Attraction. It is a completely different direction, and showed her range as an actress. Lucy and Michael Spector, a upper middle class Seattle couple, have been married for ten years, and long to start a family. After several failed attempts, they opt for an open adoption. Mary Stuart Masterson plays the expecting teenage mother who contacts them through the ad they placed in a out of state newspaper. What follows is an acurate and touching portrayal of four people, (including the baby's father,) who's rollercoaster emotions manage to be both funny and heartbreaking at times. I thought this movie was fantastic, engrosing from start to finish, and a must see for any fan of the actors in it! Eight stars!

The real difficulties of parenthood and adoption.

[TxMike · 19 November 2005]

Mary Stuart Masterson, two years before her role in Fried Green Tomatoes, plays Lucy, a simple teenager who has a child with her young musician boyfriend. While pregnant she makes arrangements for the baby to be adopted by a family that can give it a good home. That family is Linda and Michael Spector, played by Glenn Close and James Woods, living on the west coast.

As Lucy carries the child she becomes friends with the Spectors, and even visits their home before the baby is born, to the point of admiring the room they have decorated for the newborn. However, after the delivery she has second thoughts, the normal bond between a mother and her child, and simply leaves the hospital, with baby boy, and travels to Ohio and her dad's home. Later when it become clear to her that she and the young father cannot give their son a proper upbringing, she goes back to the Spectors and gives him to them. She leaves a letter to William (the boy) and in a voice-over as the movie is ending, we hear her tell him why she gave him up. The Spectors stay in touch and we see a photo she has of the boy about two years old, with a big shaggy dog.

At first I thought, "chick-flick"...

[icreeem · 14 February 2008]

...but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. The performances of each actor were exemplary...and surprising, considering James Woods' ability to play such a sleazy worm so convincingly (as in "The Onion Field" or "Against All Odds") and Glenn Close's horrifying character in "Fatal Attraction"...these are two outstanding actors, whose roles of a warm and long-married-yet-unfulfilled couple really put extra credibility in each of their bag of tricks. Masterson and Dillon are equally excellent as the working-class, clueless kids who are suddenly thrust into parenthood, seeing adoption as their only sensible option out of the situation. What I found most compelling is Michael and Linda (Woods and Close) are a couple who have it all; long-term experience in a loving marriage, excellent careers (he's a veterinarian, she's a real estate broker), a nice house near the bay, nice cars, etc...but are lacking what they really want; a child of their own. Their obvious envy of their friends' relationships with their children is played beautifully, where you can really feel the deep hurt of the "empty womb" through their expressions (the best of which is Michael's observing a young father and his son at a football game) and their discomfort of being among all the happy parents and their children (the birthday party). I found the anticipation of the arrival of Lucy (Masterson) and the ultimate arrival of the baby were very contagious, again, through the excellence of the cast. The glimpses of the younger couple's lives back in Ohio were very revealing as to their characters...again, superbly done! I also loved the understated mischief of the family dog, which, hilariously, closes the film. A warm movie, extremely enjoyable.

An adoption film that tugs at Heart

[zelda1964 · 16 January 2005]

I enjoyed this film because the characters showed how some adoptions go very smooth. Close and Woods portray Lucy and Michael, a couple that turn to this young boyfriend and girlfriend(Dillon and Masterson) for help; Masterson is pregnant and she first wants to give the child away.

Lucy and Michael want to get closer to the young mother and invite her into the Spector household. Things go well, until Masterson has a change of heart,after the birth, and wants to keep the baby boy.She then realizes,towards the ending,that she has no experience and cannot fulfill motherly duties.Finally, she graciously gives the boy to the Spectors,knowing he will be well taken care of.

This movie is sweet and you feel glad for the child, that a loving mother would sacrifice her desires, and offer him a better Future. As with a well known case in History, the "Baby M" scandal was a blemish to adoption agencies and received much notoriety in our Nation.Marybeth Whitehead was the surrogate mother and refused to give up the child. In that drawn out case, the girl even received two confusing names(then- married Whiteheads called her Sarah, while the Stern couple named her Melissa).

In the ending of Immediate Family, Close,Woods,and Masterson show how adoptive and biological families can work out differences and still be happy. The Spectors send Lucy pictures and keep her involved with her child.