The relationship between the Lesley Ann Warren and Meredith Birney characters was confusing for most of the movie, which caused a bit of a distraction, but the body of the movie was great: family values, heartfelt situations, struggles, conflicts that were dealt with in a real and loving way and resolved, great topic etc.
I was just about ready to tell all my friends about this movie, and even purchase it, until I watched the end. After wonderful story and character development, the wrap up appeared to be almost an afterthought. I understand that Meredith's character made some life changes and that she needed to stop holding on to her "daughter" so tightly, and live her own life, but...to show that happening with jumping in the car on the way to a "carefree" trip with her boyfriend (unless I missed a marriage in there somewhere), exhibited irresponsibility instead of a responsible mother/grandmother learning to loosen up and move on in her life. Thinking ahead in the (unwritten) story, what kind of example would this be for her granddaughter and future grandchildren? If you changed the ending to show responsible / family behavior, then I would recommend this without hesitation.
I was just about ready to tell all my friends about this movie, and even purchase it, until I watched the end. After wonderful story and character development, the wrap up appeared to be almost an afterthought. I understand that Meredith's character made some life changes and that she needed to stop holding on to her "daughter" so tightly, and live her own life, but...to show that happening with jumping in the car on the way to a "carefree" trip with her boyfriend (unless I missed a marriage in there somewhere), exhibited irresponsibility instead of a responsible mother/grandmother learning to loosen up and move on in her life. Thinking ahead in the (unwritten) story, what kind of example would this be for her granddaughter and future grandchildren? If you changed the ending to show responsible / family behavior, then I would recommend this without hesitation.