The Baby Maker - Je donne la vie à qui je veux

People didn't want to THINK about this movie at the time it first came out. The idea that a childless couple, so desperate to have a baby, would have the husband meet a young surrogate at a hotel room to "make a baby" while the wife sits nervously at home, looking at the clock, anticipating his return home. That was too much for people. It was titillating and had a sleaziness to it.

Sex can do a lot of things. Barbara Hershey was very good in her part and started to have "feelings" for the husband (this often happens after sex). She has a boyfriend (Scott Glenn), whom she catches in bed with another woman, which sends her over the edge.

I don't remember the end, but I used to have this on tape. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

An excellent, if greatly underrated film. Philosophical author Thaddeus Golas, who lived with a hippie commune for several years in San Francisco in the '60s and 70s, pointed out that The Baby Maker wonderfully captured the spirit of youth in the '60s, far better than Hollywood caricatures like The Trip or Easy Rider. This is true, of course. This film is about the clash of worlds and paradigms. Like most films of the 1970s, it's true themes are hidden under layers, and the title gives few clues as to what the story is truly pointing at. Worth a viewing!

A charming story, told with the right amount of delicacy, despite the topic of pregnancy on behalf of a third party being a very controversial topic, perhaps more so now than then. Furthermore, the film managed to immerse me in the vibrant 70s, with its atmospheres, events and cultural movements.

After a first unwanted pregnancy, in which she had to give up the child for adoption because she was too young, Tish Gray (Barbara Hershey) realized she had a predisposition to raise a child inside her, without having to take care of it, she comes into contact with Suzanne Wilcox (Collin Wilcox Paxton) who, after a hysterectomy, has a dream: to have a biological child from her husband Jay (Scott Glenn).

Director James Bridges demonstrates considerable sensitivity and respect for the narrative (his is also the screenplay), with delicate scenes, but also with clear and direct dialogues. In my opinion representing the hippie culture better than many more famous films, showing in the reality of its scenes the clash of two different worlds (the old traditionalist bourgeoisie and the progressive hippie movement) and their relative axioms. The acting is sublime, not only the beautiful and very good interpreter, but also the debutant Scott Glenn.

Citation of merit: soundtrack and leitmotif really wonderful, did they deserve the Oscar? Mmmh... let it be.

Barbara Hershey plays a hippie girl who is hired to have the baby of a middle class couple (Collin Wilcox-Horne & Sam Groom). The film deals with the clash of values between Hershey, along with her boyfriend (Scott Glenn), and the couple. It also deals honestly and surprisingly fairly with the emotional turmoil all four characters go through. Supposedly the film was dismissed upon its released because of the way it depicted hippie culture, but it is much more positive than a good amount of the films of the day (see Joe, for instance). It neither accepts nor dismisses either of the two classes, but instead deals with the four principals as individuals. The four characters are sensitively written (director Bridges, most famous for writing and directing The China Syndrome, wrote the script here, as well). Hershey, Wilcox-Horne (AKA Wilcox Paxton), Groom, and Glenn all give exceptional performances.

I admit, I ordered the DVD of this film because it starred the young Barbara Hershey. Okay, sure, she is stunningly beautiful; but as we know, she is also a stunning actress. I'd never seen this film before last night......unless I've forgotten viewing it in the theater upon its release.

Overall, what a lovely film. I'm an old softy, so a story like this would tend to get me; but as other reviewers have said, the stars made this story.

In my opinion, it would be a mistake to fault the film because of a few things that, now, seem rather dated. The characters are subdued with their emotions (for the most part); and that they can pull it off is a sign of the actor's talents.

But really, what else can I say other than: what a lovely tale, lovingly told.