What Makes a Family (2001)
Based on the controversial true story
Janine and Sandy are a lesbian couple who decide to have a baby, but after a few years Sandy dies. This tragedy is exploited by Sandy's parents to snatch the girl from Janine's care. But then, and despite having the laws against her, Janine decides to fight in order to regain custody of her daughter.
Director: Maggie Greenwald
Genre: Drama, TV Movie
Runtime: 120 min
Release Date: January 22, 2001
Cast
- Brooke Shields - Janine Nielssen
- Cherry Jones - Sandy Cataldi
- Whoopi Goldberg - Terry Harrison
- Anne Meara - Evelyn Cataldi
- Al Waxman - Frank Cataldi
- Jordy Benattar - Heather Cataldi
- Melanie Nicholls-King - Nora
- Stewart Arnott - Peter
- Joanne Vannicola - Melissa
- Roberta Maxwell - Claire
Screenplay
Music: David Mansfield
Cinematography: Rhett Morita
Editing: Keith Reamer
Production: Lifetime, Barwood Films, Columbia TriStar Television, Storyline Entertainment
Country: Canada, United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en
Keywords
based on true story, judicial system, lesbian history
More Films by Director: Maggie Greenwald
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is What Makes a Family about?
- Janine and Sandy are a lesbian couple who decide to have a baby, but after a few years Sandy dies. This tragedy is exploited by Sandy's parents to snatch the girl from Janine's care. But then, and despite having the laws against her, Janine decides to fight in order to regain custody of her daughter.
- Who directed What Makes a Family?
- What Makes a Family was directed by Maggie Greenwald.
- Who stars in What Makes a Family?
- What Makes a Family stars Brooke Shields, Cherry Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Anne Meara, Al Waxman, Jordy Benattar.
- How long is What Makes a Family?
- What Makes a Family has a runtime of 2h 0m (120 minutes).
- What genre is What Makes a Family?
- What Makes a Family is a Drama, TV Movie film.
- Where was What Makes a Family produced?
- What Makes a Family was produced in Canada, United States of America.