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Then She Found Me
* * 1/2 (out of four)
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Expands Friday nationwide
By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY More something to stumble on than intentionally endeavor out, Then She Found Me is perhaps most noteworthy for revealing Helen Hunt’s promise as a director.
Though the story, based on the 1990 novel by Elinor Lipman, feels predictable and bland, in that place are some emotional insights in the mother-daughter relationship at the heart of the film.
But there also are forced scenes — such as those when Hunt is introduced to her biological mom (Bette Midler) — that play like a sitcom. Perhaps this is natural for Hunt after all her years on Mad About You.
Mostly the film plays out earnestly if dully. The strongest moments involve Hunt and her love engage (Colin Firth). He brings a sorely needed intelligence and charm to the film.
Matthew Broderick seems miscast as the husband who dumps Hunt. The two are supposed to have a alcoholic physical connection, but this isn’t convincingly conveyed. And one wonders how the movie might have played if Hunt had cast someone other than herself in the lead. Her lack of vanity and refusal to glam up the component is admirable, but the film’s arc sometimes feels as tired of the same kind with Hunt’s character looks.
Hunt plays April, a devoted teacher married to her longtime best friend (Broderick). Her life takes a drastic exigence when her husband decides he doesn’t want to be married.
Shortly thereafter, the mother who raised her dies and her biological mom comes crashing into her lifetime.
April finds romance with the divorced dad of one of her young students but can’t seem to shake her connection to her ex-husband.
If this sounds like a soap opera, it occasionally wanders into that territory, admitting thankfully, some of the drama is leavened by the agency of humor. There are some wise observations about parenting. Hunt draws some good performances from the cast and wisely chose a low-key physical story for her directorial debut.
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