Stepmom (1998)
“Stepmom” is a 1998 American comedy-drama film directed by Chris Columbus and produced by Wendy Finerman, Mark Radcliffe, and Michael Barnathan. The screenplay was written by Gigi Levangie, Jessie Nelson, Steven Rogers, Karen Leigh Hopkins, and Ronald Bass. The film stars Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, and Ed Harris.
Release Date: “Stepmom” was released in the United States on December 25, 1998, by Sony Pictures Releasing.
Box Office Performance: Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $159.7 million worldwide against a budget of $50 million.
Soundtrack: The soundtrack to “Stepmom” was released on August 12, 1998, via the Sony Classical label.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 93 reviews, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The site’s consensus reads: “Solid work from Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon isn’t enough to save Stepmom from a story whose manipulations dilute the effectiveness of a potentially affecting drama”.
The story revolves around the relationship dynamics between a divorced mother of two, her ex-husband’s career-minded girlfriend, and the children caught in the middle. The film explores the challenges and emotions involved in the blending of families and the complexities of the stepmother role.
“Stepmom” is a comedy-drama film that, despite its box office success, received mixed reviews from critics. The movie delves into the complexities of family dynamics, particularly the relationships between a divorced mother, her ex-husband’s girlfriend, and the children. The performances of Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon were noted, but the film’s manipulative storytelling diluted its potential impact as a drama.
