[Searching4heart]

I wanted to pick some brains and ask if anyone knows of any adoption or adoption related movies out there, my amom told me of one that I found on Itunes something like The Magdeline Sisters (or something along those words) I am just trying to read/watch everything I can and was curious if there are any good movies out there that anyone can recomend, I would perfer movies based more around the birth parents and adoptees rather than the adoptive parents/familly (seeing as I am well versed in being IN and adoptive familly and all )

thanks in advance for any suggestions

[bmarie14]

The Magdalene Sisters is a good movie. Adoption is a subplot not the whole theme but I still recommend it as a good movie.

Juno of course is a classic. Both my adoptive mother and I loved it (she cried).

One of my personal favorites (I watch it whenever I'm sad) is White Oleander. It focuses on the journey of a girl in foster care. It is also a wonderful book.

Mom at Sixteen is a lifetime movie. You can watch it at hulu.com. I watched it last night, it was pretty predictable, a typical lifetime movie style but worth the watch.

One of my favorites from when I was younger was The Face on the Milk Carton. I don't know if you can find it anywhere (if you do let me know). It's not adoption per se, the girl was actually kidnapped from a mall. It deals with her reuniting with her biological family. I remember it being a great movie (it's also a book as well).

That's all I can think of for now. Let us know if you find any good ones!

[ripples]

Try the following thread - over 50 posts about adoption-related films
films portraying adoption, adoptees, etc;

For me, THE best film is the documentary: "The Daughter From Danang" it shows an intercountry reunion and its many complexities LIVE! If you're after a non-docco, then I'd say "High Tide", "Live and Become" or "Secrets and Lies" are my favourites.

If you want a kids' film, then I'd say, "Meet The Robinsons".

Probably the funniest is The Simpsons episode where Homer meets his birth dad.

For me, the most pat, superficial yet deceptively arty film was "Juno" and I've met several birthmothers who agreed - in fact, they were deeply offended at how light the film made of their anguish.

[blminter]

then she found me, staring helen hunt. it is a perspective from an adoptee. as an adoptive parent i wasn't sure about where it was going to begin with, but it's one of my fav's.

it's a story about her life as an adopted child and wanting children as an adult.

really good.

[greenbottles]

I hate Juno with vengence....I wish some one would do Juno 20 years later with how she's struggling with the loss of her now adult child and despite the fact that they have reunited she realises that their relationship is doomed due to adoption grief, anger and hurt on both sides.

[Searching4heart]

I saw the helen hunt one when it first came out it was real good Juno on the other hand I personally have a hard time with it cause in the movie Juno's baby was born on my birthdate and it almost kinda hit too close to home for me but I will def look for the other ones thanks for the comments

[portlowski]

"Flirting With Disaster" is a comedy starring Ben Stiller. I remember really liking it when it came out...long beofre I was touched by adoption and I honestly can't remember how it ends but the premise is that an adopted man (Ben Stiller) becomes a fther for the first time and feels like he can't name his son til he finds his birth parents. So he goes on the road and zany stuff happens....I have no idea how I would feel about it now that I know more about adoption.

[KittyMay]

I'd have to say "Flirting With Disaster". It provides comic relief all while driving home some good points about adoption as a whole. I laughed myself silly with this movie. Try to pepper it in between those other movies because it does bring a smile.

[BrockBaby]

Heart

One of my favorite adoption movies was Family of Strangers starring Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert. I taped it when I was in high school on the VCR, and yes I still have the tape. I made snickerdoodle cookies that night....odd that I remember all that. Then, I became OBSESSED with that movie, watching it over and over and over and over....I believed my bmom would be just like Patty Duke's character. I think that movie was part of the set up for the HUGE disappointment that took place when I was finally reunited.

So, while watching adoption movies is interesting, please don't think that they are going to be your reality. I know that you know that...but as your pal, I had to say that!!!!

[Searching4heart]

ya no as you well know I am not trying to watch them to hope and pray for this wonderful "other" familly I could have I actually want the movies that dont go so well so that I can prepare myself for the worst and not set myself up for something un realistic. I try to view my glass as half full but try as I may its just half empty and I need to realize it. lol some may say I am a pesimist (or how ever you spell it) but I would say I am a realist.

[Drywall]

Searching...theres an old movie called "Orphan Train" which deals with the way it was for orphans in the beginning...

I wish you the best.

[ripples]

Originally Posted by Searching4heart

I actually want the movies that dont go so well so that I can prepare myself for the worst and not set myself up for something un realistic.

Hi Searching4heart,
If you want to see the films whereby adoptee/birth parents don't go so well, check out:

The King
Mommie Dearest
Orphan (horror flick from France)
Damien (horror flick)

Or any films about Son of Sam (David Berkowitz, the serial killer).

I'm not into horror flicks so I haven't seen any of the above but from reading the story outlines on IMDB, they all sound pretty worst case.

I'd agree with one of the previous people who'd posted - the dramas are not very 'real life'. That's why I preferred documentaries.

[Searching4heart]

Well I am a horror film buff to an extent but when I said I wanted films that didnt really go well I meant to say in the reunion one side not wanting it ect. Not really about murder and such But ty Ripples

[ripples]

Hi Searching4heart,
If you want to see botched reunions, then I highly recommend the docco "The Daughter from Danang" Daughter From Danang. While the reunion aftermath was agonising, the film still prompted me to search. The film won seveal awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for doccos.

Non-docco drama recommendation then is still "Secrets and Lies". I think it won several awards (BAFTA).

Regards,