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Movies Forum Index » Movie Reviews Forum » Review: Casa de Los Babys (2003)
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| Author |
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| Robin Clifford |
 Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2003 4:39 pm |
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"Casa de los Babys"
Six women journey south of the border in search of the
babies that are not available to them in the United
States. But, adoption is not all that much easier
where they are and, though they live in relative
comfort, they must, like the refugees in "Casablanca,"
wait and wait and wait at the "Casa de los Babys."
Director-writer-editor John Sayles has had an eclectic
career that began with a minor splash in his pre-"Big
Chill" ensemble film, "Return of the Secaucus Seven."
He then established himself with his quirky sci-fi
flick, "The Brother From Another Planet." Since then
he has performed with near brilliance with "Lone Star"
and with solid story-telling skills in "Eight Men
Out," "Passion Fish," and "Limbo." His films have
always shown his imprint, though some are accepted
more than others. "Casa de los Babys" is probably the
biggest misstep of his long career.
The main problem I have with "Los Babys" is, though
cast with a talented group of actresses, there is no
real dimension to the main characters. Marcia Gay
Harden, as Nan, is a bigoted, opinionated thief and
liar who is quick to criticize but the last person who
should do so. Mary Steenbergen, as Gayle, is the most
mature of the group, kind hearted but with her share
of woes - a brief scene with her attending an AA
meeting (in Spanish) is pointedly done to give her the
dimension that the character lacks. The character
fails to be more than a symbol. Maggie Gyllenhaal, as
Jennifer, is in an obviously troubled marriage where,
she naively thinks, the introduction of a baby will
make everything right and whole. Lili Taylor's Leslie
is a single woman (a lesbian, it is speculated) who
wants a child but not a man. Daryl Hannah is
exercise-obsessed Skipper who, after too many
miscarriages, desperately wants a child of her own.
Susan Lynch is a young Irish woman, Eileen, with
obvious limited funds but, after two fertility
operations, sees no other alternative to attaining
motherhood.
For the most part, these characters that you meet and
learn about in the beginning of "Casa de los Babys"
are pretty much the same come the end. Sure, there is
some development with Lynch's Eileen and Hannah's
Skipper, but little for the rest. Fortunately, the
smaller roles and secondary characters help to give
the dimension to the film not provided from the lead
ensemble. Rita Morino, as the mistress of the Casa,
comes across as a strong, stern and resourceful person
who must cope with running the place, dealing with the
government bureaucracy and treat with her "guests,"
particularly the always demanding and complaining Nan.
Vanessa Martinez, as one of the Casa's maids, also
gives a strong performance as a girl who has had to
raise and care for her younger siblings and was, once,
the mother to one of "los Babys."
Sayles, who has had ample experience with large
ensemble casts doesn't seem to have his heart in "Casa
de los Babys." The writing is perfunctory as it
introduces the main characters then leaves them to
fend for themselves as he explores minor points like a
young street urchin shown some kindness by Eileen. We
follow the homeless boy, gift in hand, runs off to
huff paint with his adolescent friends; or, the matron
of the nursery who sings lullabies to her wards and
explains the real facts of the babies' lives to a
young nurse-nun. When the background is more
interesting than the main story, there is a problem. I
give it a C-.
For more Reeling reviews visist www.reelingreviews.com
robin@reelingreviews.com
laura@reelingreviews.com
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X-RAMR-ID: 36011
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1206822
X-RT-TitleID: 1124375
X-RT-SourceID: 386
X-RT-AuthorID: 1488
X-RT-RatingText: C- |
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