Battling for Baby

This movie is simply horrible. Something closely akin to morbid curiosity kept me watching it until the end, despite the fact that I knew within the first minute that it was going be nauseous. I can't believe that Suzanne Pleshette, Debbie Reynolds and Courteney Cox, all of whom I like very much, would ever have involved themselves in anything so very, very bad.

The script made Pleshette's and Reynolds' jobs impossible. The poor things probably did the best they could with the material they had to work with, but that material led inevitably to silly histrionics from Pleshette (as International Musical Glamour Queen) and hokey cutesiness from Reynolds (as Bubbly Hairdresser Who Wears Tacky Clothes). Courteney Cox was fortunate that her character was far more believable, and she was likeable in her role. English actor Leigh Lawson provided another oasis of realism, portraying Pleshette's conductor and love interest.

The worst thing about the story is that, early in the movie, the viewer is given misleading information regarding the relationship between the two main characters. That early misleading information is credible, but what turns out to be the true back story, which we discover only near the end, is ridiculous. The second worst thing about it is the absurdly improbable web of relationships between the characters, which grows more and more laughable as the movie progresses. And the third worst thing about it is that it goes to pathetic lengths in its melodramatic attempts at heart-strings-tugging. I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes.

I actually recommended that a close friend of mine watch this film just to see how bad it is. It is to movies what high kitsch is to home decor. Poodle lamp, anybody?

A young couple are going to have a baby just a few months after they are married. They hadn't planned it so soon but go ahead. But then there's the grandmothers. They've hated each other for years. It seems one stole the boyfriend of the other, married him, then divorced him. So there's this rivalry to take care of the baby. The dialogue is funny, the situations are quite real and well played by all the cast, especially the veterans, Suzanne Pleshette and Debbie Reynolds.

I thought it was a cute film. I won't say you'll die if you don't see it, but if its on, I think you should check it out. The arguments between the two women are hilarious, and quite realistic. The fashion is cringe-worthy.

All I'll say about the plot is one violates girl rule number one when they were teenagers, and they've been bickering ever since. Of course, their children end up falling in love and getting married, and the pregnancy that follows is what brings them together again and again, whether they want to be or not.

The filming location is in SLC, which is about twenty minutes away from me, and I recognized several of the locations.

A heart-warming movie that I thoroughly enjoyed, about family relationships & the important role of parents AND grandparents. It also brings out the wisdom of forgiveness, understanding & not being judgemental. Above all, the priority of being there for a young child takes precedence over the accumulation of material things, even a house with more room. There is a very accurate portrayal of young newlyweds unprepared for a baby so soon, but in the end they learn the value of family plus the importance of time alone for the 2 of them.

This is an absolutely darling movie, great to watch on a Sunday afternoon. I especially like to watch it just to see the clothes the ladies wear in this film, plus the background sets (decorating). All in all, thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming.