|
|
| In Casa de los Babys John Sayles once again brings various individual stories together. Whereas movies often tell the story of a few central characters, Sayles keeps showing us a broader picture whether it involves the Black Sox scandal (Eight Men Out), corruption (Lone Star), a revolution (Men With Guns), or community transitions (Sunshine State). |
(2003) Film Review by Darrel Manson |
| This page was created on October 7, 2003
This page was last updated on
October 7, 2003
—Review
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections
—Forum |
| CREDITS |
| Directed by John Sayles
Screenplay by John Sayles
Cast (in credits order)
Daryl Hannah .... Skipper
Marcia Gay Harden .... Nan
Mary Steenburgen .... Gayle
Rita Moreno .... Sra. Muñoz
Lili Taylor .... Leslie
Maggie Gyllenhaal .... Jennifer
Susan Lynch .... Eileen
Pedro Armendáriz Jr. .... Ernesto
Bruno Bichir .... Diómedes
Angelina Peláez .... Doña Mercedes
Vanessa Martinez .... Asunción
Juan Carlos Vives .... Búho
Miguel Rodarte .... Oscar
David Hevia .... Iván
Martha Higareda .... Celia
Tony Marcin .... Celia's Mother
Lourdes Echevarría .... Social Worker
Blanca Loaria .... Socorro
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Guillermo Iván Dueñas .... Reynaldo
Produced by
Caroline Kaplan .... executive producer
Hunt Lowry .... producer
Melissa Marr .... associate producer
Jonathan Sehring .... executive producer
A. Springall .... executive producer
Alejandro Springall .... producer
Lemore Syvan .... producer
Original Music by Mason Daring
Cinematography by Maurizio Rubinstein
Film Editing by John Sayles
MPAA: Rated R for some language and brief drug use.
Runtime: 95 min
For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, and MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG |
| TRAILERS AND CLIPS |
| —Trailers |
| CD |
Casa De Los Babys [SOUNDTRACK]
1. Casa Intro - Mason Daring Listen Listen
2. De Cara a la Pared - Lhasa Listen Listen
3. The Juggler - Mason Daring, Billy Novick Listen Listen
4. Un Son Para Ti - Ruben Blades Listen Listen
5. Quien Sere - Rita Moreno Listen Listen
6. He Venido a Decirte - Los Zafiros
7. Caia Brava - Grupo Fantasma
8. Naela - Lila Downs
9. Hasta Siempre Comandante - Carlos Puebla
10. Siboney - Los Panchos
11. Duerme (A Cappella) - Rita Moreno
12. Pocketbook - Mason Daring
13. Cancion de Orfeo - Los Zafiros
14. Duerme Negrito - Atahualpa Yupanqui
 |
| POSTER |
|
| AVAILABILITY ON VIDEO AND DVD |
CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PRICING OF THIS MOVIE ON VIDEO OR DVD.
Just type in movie title and click go.
Also, check out 100 Hot Videos
and the 100 Hot DVDs
|
|
| SYNOPSIS |
 Maggie Gyllenhaal, Daryl Hannah, Marcia Gay Harden, Susan Lynch, Rita Moreno, Mary Steenburgen, and Lili Taylor star in Casa de los Babys, an intense and provocative ensemble drama. Casa captures six American women at one of the most emotionally charged
moments of their lives - each one on the verge of adopting a baby. Trapped together in an exotic South American motel run by the colorful Señora Muñoz (Rita Moreno), they anxiously wait for the local bureaucracy to process their adoption of newborns from the nearby orphanage. Over the weeks, they share hope and desperation surrounding their overwhelming desires to have a child. A poignant, sharp, insightful look at clashing cultures, modern maternity and the mystery of fate,
Casa de los Babys is the latest film from writer/director John Sayles (Sunshine State). |
Review by DARREL MANSON BLOG
Pastor, Artesia Christian Church, Artesia, CA
http://netministries.org/see/churches/ch01198
Darrel has an incredible love and interest in the cinematic arts. His reviews usually include independent and significantly important film. |
In Casa de los Babys John Sayles once again brings various individual stories together. Whereas movies often tell the story of a few central characters, Sayles keeps showing us a broader picture whether it involves the Black Sox scandal (Eight Men Out), corruption (Lone Star), a revolution (Men With Guns), or community transitions (Sunshine
State).
This time we see six American women who have gone to a South American country to adopt babies. Before they can get a child, they have to meet a residency requirement, so they are all staying in a hotel that caters to mothers waiting for children.
At one level the film looks at the differences between the women. There is Nan, who is a world-class whiner, judgmental about everything and everyone; no one likes her. There is Eileen, who can barely afford the stay, but shows a heart full of love of a child she has yet to meet. There is Gayle, an optimist who finds good in everyone. There is Skipper who seems to be training for a triathlon. There is Leslie, a confident, self-assured literary editor who will raise the child alone. There
is Jennifer, the sweet young wife of a go-getter businessman whose marriage may be in thin ice.
As we watch, we think about which of them would make good mothers. Or are they all as the hotel owner describes them: "They want to be mothers, but they can't take care of themselves"?
As we begin to see the hopes and fears of these mothers to be, they really aren't much different from mothers waiting to have babies. The difference for the women in Casa is that all their anxieties are put in a period of a few weeks.
On another level, this is a broad look at the whole issue of adoption of children from poorer countries. Are we buying their most precious resource? Are we saving the children from lives of struggle and poverty? Is this just another form of American imperialism in which we buy what we want? Are babies a commodity to be part of international trade?
While covering the issue so broadly does give us a good deal to think about, Sayles ends up spreading it all a bit thin. We never see any real depth in the characters of the six women who are so central to the story. None of the justice, cultural or economic issues are given much more than a cursory glance. Even the issue of what makes a good parent is only briefly touched on.
Yet in spite of these shortcomings, there are occasional gems that connect, like when Eileen tells Asuncion, the hotel maid, of her special dream of life with the child she is waiting for. Then Asuncion tells of her daughter who she gave away to live up north and what life she hopes her daughter has found. Neither understands a word of what the other says, yet somehow they manage to connect their stories.
While Casa de los Babys is worth seeing, it is not among the better models of John Sayles' admirable body of work. |
| Continue: |
|
| COMMENT ON THIS FILM |
| BULLETIN BOARD (Rules)
Post your thoughts in the forum
View or post comments -click here.
Your Private Comments.
I will not post these comments. What are your personal thoughts? I also welcome your spiritual concerns and prayer needs. I will correspond with you, usually within two weeks. Click here |
OFFICIAL SITE
Publicity information and images © 2003 IFC Films. All Rights Reserved.
No other uses are permitted without the prior written consent of owner. Use of the material in violation of the foregoing may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Credits and dates are subject to change. For more information, please visit their official site.
Hollywood Jesus News Letter
Receive the Hollywood Jesus Newsletter FREE.
Sign up here
|
| | |
|
|
