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What Makes a Family Photos

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Movie Info

Lesbian partners Janine Nielssen (Brooke Shields) and Sandy Cataldi (Cherry Jones) decide to have a baby through artificial insemination. Sandy opts to be the biological mother, and she gives birth to a baby girl. Sadly, Sandy develops severe lupus, and dies a few years later. While Janine is intent on raising her daughter, Sandy's parents attempt to gain custody of the child. Determined not to give up custody, Janine seeks legal aid to help her case.

Rating:

TV14 (D)
Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Maggie Greenwald
Producer:

Wendy Grean
Writer:

Robert L. Freedman
Runtime:

2h

Cast & Crew

Brooke Shields
Janine Nielssen

Anne Meara
Evelyn Cataldi

Cherry Jones
Sandy Cataldi

Al Waxman
Frank Cataldi

Melanie Nicholls-King
Nora

Roberta Maxwell
Claire

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for What Makes a Family

All Critics (1) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (1)

Lifetime's What Makes a Family certainly doesn't break, or even strain, any molds, and it's not particularly nuanced in presenting legal argument, but it's well-executed all around and makes its emotional point effectively.

October 20, 2018 | Full Review…

Steven Oxman
Variety

View All Critic Reviews (1)

Audience Reviews for What Makes a Family

Feb 22, 2008

PHENOMENAL MOVIE!!! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Brooke Shields, Cherry Jones, and Whoopi Goldberg are all great! Intriguing story plot.

Leo L Super Reviewer