Finding a Family (2011)
Bright Alex grows up in Michigan proud of his mother, Romanian immigrant Ileana, who became a professor, vowing to make her dream come true by graduating from Harvard. But when mother becomes manic-depressive and repeatedly dumps her medication, Alex each time lands in foster care. At age 16, he gets legal emancipation and vows to take charge of their lives himself
Watch Trailer
Cast
Reviews
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
First, seeing what Kim has become at fifty was painful : it's not that i don't like old people, it's just that i don't like her skin care: she has now a lizard skin with less lines that when she was younger and her lips have strangely become as puffy as a pen ! I don't understand her choices for such ugly result instead of just letting the time alone ! Next, she chooses to play an heavy part about a mother getting crazy and for sure there were tension and sadness At first, when i heard the kid wanted to go Harvard, i was afraid to see the same stinker as « the other woman » but this movie is so much better ! here the family is so dysfunctional and without money that the kid is taken into foster care and orphanage ! A bit like « shameless », we have at last a American production that is interested in the leftover. Thus, the kid thinks he has only school to do something and he becomes a « brain » straight student, with so little social skills that he neglects his friends or foster family. This situation was hard for me to watch because i was (and still be in my job) this kind of brilliant loner : what was the more difficult for me was to hear his relatives giving him support, confidence and love because this doesn't really happen in the real life or at least in mine. So instead of nudity, violence, money, politics, we have here a small movie about the essential human values and even if it's difficult to watch it, there are so few movies like this that it becomes essential !
Some heart-wrenching scenes toward the beginning of this Hallmark movie. Also no big names co-starring in this, so this one has to stand on its own merits, and it does a pretty good job! Alex's mom (Kim Delaney, who is also the producer...) develops psychological disorders, and bounces in and out of treatment facilities. Alex (Jared Abrahamson) is a smart guy, and is working on getting into Harvard, but his home life is really interfering. He meets fellow students who befriend him and help him try to continue on with his goal. What I like about this story is that it has mostly good, competent acting, and doesn't rely on having a big name "guest star" to attract viewers.There are some minor errors and so-so scenes here and there, but overall, an interesting, believable story. Strong performance by Raf Rogers, who plays "Carlos", Alex's roomie at one of the homes. Also by DeeJay Jackson (Henry, the driver) who has been in TONS of things since the 1980s. Directed by Mark Jean, who has directed both films and TV series. A good entertaining film. There are much worse ways to spend two hours.
If you want to see big-budget Hollywood movies, this isn't it. If you want to see A-List actors and actresses, this isn't it. If you want to see amazing stunts, massive explosions, gang or mob action-drama, this as well isn't it.If you want a (I hate to use the cliché term) wholesome movie that everyone can watch in the family, a movie that is extremely emotional and raw (by this I mean not sugar-coated with fake emotions and feelings), a movie that you actually begin to feel what young Alex has gone through so far in his young life.Based on a true story, "Finding A Family" is such an amazing, down-to- earth show, and doesn't have any offencive term or swearwords in it; like I said, great for the whole family. If you have movie night (one evening in a week) like my family does, this is a show to watch then, or anytime for that matter.I gave it 10/10 for so many reasons, that if I were to list them all, I would run out space; but I have listed a few reasons above. I am taking a guess that either the people that gave this "made for TV movie" were expecting a big Hollywood budget show, or wanting a ton of action, truly would find this show to be something entirely different.Have a great Spring everyone!