Stepmom

December 1998

(58)

Synopsis

Julia Roberts portrays Isabel, a career-minded photographer forced into the role of unwelcome stepmother to her boyfriend Luke's (Ed Harris) two children - 12-year-old Anna (Jena Malone) and 7-year-old Ben (Liam Aiken). Her efforts to earn their love and respect are complicated by Jackie (Susan Sarandon), Luke's ex-wife and the kids' fiercely devoted mother, who resents Isabel's intrusion. When Jackie discovers she has a terminal illness, the two strong-willed, independent women are forced to find a way to connect. Realizing they must put aside their differences, the two women find that their love for the children is more than just common ground. Eventually they discover how to accept each other in order to live life to the fullest, while they have the chance. 1998 Global Entertainment Productions GmbH & Co. Film KG and SPE German Finance Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reviews

4.8

58 total

5 45

4 12

3 1

2 0

1 0

Lisa Schwarzbaum

A lab-engineered weepie!

Philip Wuntch

When Susan Sarandon wants you to cry, you cry. When Julia Roberts wants you to smile, you smile.

Robert Horton

A very bland pudding!

Susan Stark

Not since 1979's Kramer vs. Kramer has a mainstream movie more accurately, insightfully, humorously or tear-jerkingly dramatized family life in our time than Stepmom!

Stephen Hunter

Never feels either real enough to move us deeply or bubbly enough to make us forget our woes.

Janet Maslin

These two actresses are so galvanized and team up so well that the women's relationship soon upstages anything having to do with the man.

Critic reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum

A lab-engineered weepie!

Full Review

Philip Wuntch

When Susan Sarandon wants you to cry, you cry. When Julia Roberts wants you to smile, you smile.

Full Review

Robert Horton

A very bland pudding!

Full Review

Susan Stark

Not since 1979's Kramer vs. Kramer has a mainstream movie more accurately, insightfully, humorously or tear-jerkingly dramatized family life in our time than Stepmom!

Full Review

Stephen Hunter

Never feels either real enough to move us deeply or bubbly enough to make us forget our woes.

Full Review

Janet Maslin

These two actresses are so galvanized and team up so well that the women's relationship soon upstages anything having to do with the man.

Full Review

Eleonore Snow

It's a film that takes valid, complex family dynamics regarding divorce, remarriage, and parenting and reduces it all to bitchy catfighting, obvious button-pushing, and tawdry clichés.

Full Review

User reviews

A Google User October 16, 2012

Liked this movie Really good but sad story; sweet ending. Makes you realize to appreciate what you have and treasure every day with your loved ones!!

Cynthia Salazar January 5, 2014

Love it Coo

Lloyd Stamper Ii January 3, 2014

Love Love

Carolyn Galloway February 21, 2014

Great Great movie

Jasmine Standberry April 23, 2014

My all time favorite! I love it

A Google User October 20, 2012

Soooo ♥ Julia Roberts n Susan Sarandon in this.

Cierra Lowrie September 27, 2014

Movie This movie isaw when iwas younger

b. smith July 16, 2014

Stepmom

Cast and credits

Actors	Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Lynn Whitfield, Liam Aiken
Director	Chris Columbus
Writers	Jessie Nelson, Karen L. Hopkins, Ron Bass, Gigi Levangie, Steven Rogers

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

44%

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Subtitles

English

Rental period

Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.

Info cards

Enabled

Run time

125 minutes

Rating

PG-13

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