Seniors in Atlanta

Baby Boom [VHS]

Description

The writing-directing team of Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers (Father of the Bride) made this sweet satire about a high-powered yuppie executive (Diane Keaton) who unexpectedly becomes a mom and finds she can't successfully integrate the role into her busy life. Typical of the Shyer-Meyers films prior to Myers taking the director's reins on the wonderful Parent Trap, Baby Boom is a little wooden and more sentimental than genuine. But there are entertaining moments, for sure, and Keaton is a delight. --Tom Keogh

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-07-05
Summary: "Baby Boom"

It's an old movie but still good for some smiles!! Rec'd this movie on time and in excellent condition.

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-07-04
Summary: "Baby Boom"

This is a very enjoyable movie about a woman on the fast tract up the corporate ladder who inherits a baby. She is fired because of the time she has to spend with the baby. Her life and priorities change. It is an entertaing movie to watch. I recomend it.

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Rating: 2 / 5
Date: 2010-06-24
Summary: "Mashed Apples"

Cutesy, underwhelming Diane Keaton vehicle is more or less saved by the wise inclusion of the stately Sam Shepard (as the Veterinarian/love interest), though note the near total disconnect displayed between Keaton and the baby ("Elizabeth") throughout. Though the actress does a fair enough job of feigning interest and affection vocally and with her facial expressions, the rest of her seems more than happy to keep the little tike consistently a good arms length away. (Contrast this to how Tom Selleck and company just swept up "their" new found baby girl in the much sweeter, if equally implausible "3 Men and a ..."). To make matters worse, there`s just something wholly nonsensical about the ease with which the Keaton character manages to turn things around in the end. For one thing, she had hit rock bottom and was all but broke, so where did she get the cash needed just to start things back up? (After all, as anyone who has ever run a business knows, successful entrepreneurship always comes with a price.)

That said, there`s something to be said for the movie`s still relevant main message: when it comes to romantic love, family, and making one`s own way in the world, women truly can be up against it.

The Bill Conti composed soundtrack - well featured here as much screen time passes with Keaton alone in various situations and locations with the babe - is pure upscale `80s (chimey, synthesized electric pianos with a liberal dose of tenor sax), as is the overall look.

With respect to the (rest of the) cast, both Ramis (Groundhog Day) and Spader (looking curiously air brushed as ever) go more or less missing in action, with little loss really. (And what`s up with the whole Ramis in bed wearing a complexion mask goofiness?)
Oddball, right-wing comedian Victoria Jackson (who once famously referred to President Barack Obama as, among other things, "the anti-Christ") comes and goes as a topless, though not full out bare breasted, baby sitter. (For those who have yet to see the movie, I kid you not.)
Pat Hingle as the Big Time Corporate CEO is, to me, nevertheless folksy, charming.

Two Stars for the general idea/basic premise, Shepard, and the lovely, Autumnal views of the Vermont countryside. (Though, I suppose, Three Stars might be more like it - assuming you`re simply a fan of anything/everything Keaton, no matter how flawed or otherwise lacking.)

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-18
Summary: "Inspirational Movie"

I have loved this movie for many years. It demonstrates vividly how fortunes can turn on a dime, but more importantly how, what may look like a devestating setback, may be a blessing in disguise. The kind of feel good movie that shows what determination can achieve. Diane Keaton's performance is outstanding. The kind of performance we've come to expect from her and she doesn't disappoint one bit. Highly recommend taking another look at this classic.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-03-23
Summary: "Keaton's Best"

This classic is great on so many levels: The corporate world versus the bucolic life, the stressful anxiety to achieve versus the laid-back,reflective confidence geared to serving others, the drive that too much is not enough versus the satisfaction that the little things, both animate and inanimate, are the real stuff of life. Keaton is all over this film; she is funny, she is maddingly aggressive, she is tender, she is caustic, she is passionate, she is aloof, she is approachable, she makes you smile, she makes you cry. She runs the full range of emotions, but they are never forced and quite believable. If you think from this description that I'm a true fan of this movie, then you have hit the lottery. Writer/director Nancy Meyers hits on all cylinders as she has on almost every film with which she has been associated.She writes plots and characters that are so real that one has the feeling that he or she is listening and observing words and situations as they are actually occurring. The team of Keaton and Meyers make up the best team of female actor and director in Hollywood today. This film can never be overrated or can be only matched for its cleverness, comedy and poignancy.