Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Jena Malone, Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood are as well-known as Jena Malone. Ever since her rise to fame during the 1990’s, Malone has created memorable movies. Whether it’s competitors of games, prejudiced sisters or bold teenagers, Malone has played many powerful characters. Arguably, Malone’s strength as an actress is powerful screen presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had a flair for stealing the show in supporting roles in movies with limited screen time. Even when she is in a movie for a short amount of time, Malone has always left an indelible impression. Through an ability to create strong characters audiences can relate to, Malone has become an actress that audiences value. Although she is famous for her role in the Hunger Games franchise, the actress thar has proven she can excel making movies in every genre. Throughout her career, the actress has made many memorable films that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Malone and adore all the films which she had created in her career. However, “Stepmom” is definitely my favourite. Following its release in 1998, Chris Columbus’ movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with powerful production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest films ever made about dysfunctional families. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance from Jena Malone, who embodies a young girl struggling to cope with her tough stepmother. Ultimately, what makes “Stepmom” a timeless classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about dysfunctional families, it tackles themes everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about stepmothers that are demanding, there are many reasons why “Stepmom” a film that’s worth watching.
“Stepmom” tells the story of a family which is impacted by the arrival of a strict stepmom. Julia Roberts portrays Isabel, a young woman trapped in a broken marriage causing trauma. Isabel has always had dreams of pursing her successful career in a competitive profession. However, Isabel’s life forever changes when she is forced into the stressful role of being a stepmother. Faced with the challenge of being nice to a divorced mother (Susan Sarandon), Isabel questions whether it’s possible for her to care for children. It isn’t very long before Isabel forms a strong bond with the daughter of the family Anna (Jena Malone). Anna is a bright young girl with dreams of having a successful education. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Isabel begins to wonder whether it is possible for her to be a stepmother with a bright future.
Chris Columbus is fascinated with the stories of dysfunctional families. A great filmmaker, Columbus has often made engaging movies about dysfunctional families that experience disaster. His iconic movie “Home Alone” told the story of a child left home alone enduring burglars causing adversity. With “Stepmom”, however, Columbus made his first ever family drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the struggles faced by stepmothers struggling to raise a family but he succeeds tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Columbus captures a stepmother struggling to care for a dysfunctional family. Evoking Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Columbus uses montages capturing hardships that grieving families affected by stepmothers are facing. For instance, montages elevate the stepmom meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Isabel is introduced for the first time becoming the stepmother of a family. Through montages, Columbus captures tensions that stepmothers in families are facing. Montages are not easy to use in movies. As Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice” demonstrated, montages elevate Jane Austen films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Columbus captures hardships stepmothers in families are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Stepmom” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Columbus expertly uses costumes to capture the lives of stepmothers that face tension seeking to raise a family. For instance, costumes elevate the argument scene. During this tense scene, Isabel has an argument with Jackie over her life responsibilities that cause catastrophe. Through stunning costumes, the filmmaker captures the hardships stepmoms in broken families are facing. Moreover, musical score is magnificent. John Williams’ celebrated music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that stepmothers in broken families bear. Through phenomenal production design, Columbus conveys stepmoms in broke families that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Stepmom” is a film about stepmoms that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of stepmoms facing tension. Throughout the film, Columbus effectively employs sequences of silence to capture stepmothers facing tension. For instance, silence elevates the final farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Isabel bids tearful farewell to children in a family that she has spent years raising. Through sequences of silence, Columbus creates a powerful portrait of stepmothers which audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Francis Lawrence’s “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” suggested, silence elevates literary adaptations about competitor games. Nevertheless, it works in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Columbus creates a powerful portrait of stepmothers which are relatable in every way.
One admires astonishing performances.
Jena Malone delivers one of her best career performances as Anne Harrison. Malone first gained appreciations for playing rebellious teens in sad family dramas. With Stepmom”, however, the actress took on her most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a young woman that becomes victim of a stepmother in her family, but she succeeds immensely. This is actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role, with riveting expressions, she captures the angst, desperation and grief of a young woman in a broken family. It’s a riveting performance from one of the best actresses in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Jena Malone, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Julia Roberts is remarkable, capturing the trauma of a stepmother struggling to raise a family that faces a dilemma. Susan Sarandon is superb, bringing tension to a mother struggling to raise a family in a competitive profession. Lastly, Ed Harris merits appreciation. As an aging father, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Stepmom” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing stepmoms enduring tension. Unlike most movies about stepmoms, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including grief, family and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be highly familiar with stepmothers to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about broken families which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Stepmom” is one of those rare films about stepmothers which everyone would adore.
Fans of Jena Malone will definitely appreciate “Stepmom” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding classic about stepmothers, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a stepmother seeking to raise a film that’s emotional causing disaster, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actress that manufactured a lasting legacy making memorable movies throughout her career which audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 