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IMDbPro

What Makes a Family

  • TV Movie
  • 2001
  • TV-14
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
839
YOUR RATING
Brooke Shields and Cherry Jones in What Makes a Family (2001)
Drama

When an artificially-inseminated woman dies, her partner must fight to regain custody of their child.When an artificially-inseminated woman dies, her partner must fight to regain custody of their child.When an artificially-inseminated woman dies, her partner must fight to regain custody of their child.

  • Director
    • Maggie Greenwald
  • Writer
    • Robert L. Freedman
  • Stars
    • Brooke Shields
    • Cherry Jones
    • Anne Meara
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    839
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Maggie Greenwald
    • Writer
      • Robert L. Freedman
    • Stars
      • Brooke Shields
      • Cherry Jones
      • Anne Meara
    • 11User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Photos

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast31

    Edit
    Brooke Shields
    Brooke Shields
    • Janine Nielssen
    Cherry Jones
    Cherry Jones
    • Sandy Cataldi
    Anne Meara
    Anne Meara
    • Evelyn Cataldi
    Al Waxman
    Al Waxman
    • Frank Cataldi
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Terry Harrison
    Jordy Benattar
    • Heather Cataldi
    Melanie Nicholls-King
    Melanie Nicholls-King
    • Nora
    Stewart Arnott
    Stewart Arnott
    • Peter
    Joanne Vannicola
    Joanne Vannicola
    • Melissa
    Roberta Maxwell
    Roberta Maxwell
    • Claire
    Dean McDermott
    Dean McDermott
    • O'Brien
    Sean McCann
    Sean McCann
    • Judge Black
    Philip Williams
    Philip Williams
    • Martin Crane
    Jayne Eastwood
    Jayne Eastwood
    • Judge Shales
    George Buza
    George Buza
    • Reverend Greg Wasney
    Cayle Chernin
    • ICU Nurse
    • (as Lorraine Sinclair)
    Tony Devon
    Tony Devon
    • Gene
    Catherine Dulder
    • Cop
    • Director
      • Maggie Greenwald
    • Writer
      • Robert L. Freedman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the true story of Janine Ratcliffe and Joan Perlman.
    • Goofs
      At the time of Sandy's death, it is obviously Christmastime (Heather asking about decorating the tree/Christmas music playing in scene just before Sandy's seizure; Christmas decorations present after Sandy's death during dinner scene with Janine, Peter and his partner discussing Janine's rights with Heather.) When Janine reads Sandy's obituary, a brief shot of the clipping states Sandy's death date as Friday, June 29, 2000 (which was actually a Thursday.)
    • Soundtracks
      As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings)
      Written and Performed by Cindy Bullens

    User reviews11

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    What a statement!

    I was so impressed with the story and the acting in this movie. It really moved me and I was unable to sleep after watching it. I believe LOVE transcends everything. Whether you are in a heterosexual relationship or a homosexual relationship, Love is Love. I think it is grossly unfair for two people who love each other to not have any rights in that love just because they are the same sex. Florida needs to get with the program.

    I applaud the people who produced and acted in this movie for their courage, and especially the people who had to go through this ordeal for real.
    • kelley1717
    • Jan 31, 2001
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 22, 2001 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Corazón al descubierto
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Barwood Films
      • Columbia TriStar Television
      • Storyline Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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    Brooke Shields and Cherry Jones in What Makes a Family (2001)
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