Adopting Change (2004) User Reviews

Be Patient with Melvin ... and yourself

[donbren-1 · 9/10 · 27 October 2008]

I thought everyone was doing a great job except that Melvin (Mur) seemed to be overdoing his character's sullenness and unwillingness to give 'this adoption thing' a chance. I finally realized his problem was really his inability to accept his own incompleteness -- his being human and thus 'less than perfect.' Because we foolishly believe everyone else has 'got it together' we feel we're not quite as good as them, and we dwell on our own shortcomings. Lighten up! Be patient with the Melvin Character and you can better accept your own unwillingness to empathize with Melvin's unwillingness to accept his own dilemma of being infertile or, not quite 'a man.' A tough pill to swallow.

I have 'ED' -- have for 4 years since I had prostate cancer and they removed the prostate --and my ability to be normal -- to have an erection -- ever again. That took almost all of the four painful years, but I'm out of my funk, finally, and my wife and I make do -- just fine. I'm wholly whole now that I accept this 'gift.' Mur and Melvin taught me a lesson. Open your mind -- it helps a lot.

Want to see more...

[ric3r · 10/10 · 4 May 2004]

Powerful script played by a great cast and a beatiful lightning / art work done, what else can you ask for a remarkable short drama film?

Loved little Darian's performance. I was especially touched by the relationship between Chris and Melvin since I could relate my own personal father-son experience, the need to grow up and overcome our own fears and self-imposed fails.

I really liked the Theatre scene, its dark style, great taste for music (the opera added so much feeling).

Mur and Weiss played like they really had some "things" -in their own particular way- to overcome. Even though it was so difficult to like Christopher's character, I really felt so close to his so-called frustration and his neverending effort (or stubbornness) to give up.

Definitely, want to see more of the creative mind behind this piece.

Absolutely brilliant....but be sure to have some Kleenex's handy

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 14 October 2008]

This is an absolutely amazing short film. I was bowled over by everything about it--the writing, the direction, the acting, etc.. It simply is a brilliant little film and the future for everyone connected with the short is something I can't wait to see.

Catherine C. Pirotta co-wrote (along with Nick Rish) and directed this masterful film about a man struggling with his own infertility. Despite this infertility, like many adults, Melvin just can't admit this to himself. He not only holds out for hope, but refuses to reach out to others--choosing to instead be bitter and alone. When his wife, Amy, can't take his unwillingness to think and talk about the future, she pushes the issue by contacting a local social service agency and looking into adoption. Melvin wants nothing to do with this but eventually he acquiesces--mostly because Amy won't take no for an answer.

There is a sweet little boy as the children's home, Chris, whose parents were killed in an accident and he has no relatives able to care for him. Amy agrees to take him home for some visits, though Melvin sulks and does a lot to make the boy feel unwelcome. Watch this film to see what happens next.

What I really loved about this film in particular was the amazing script. The dialog was amazing and so true to life. Plus how many other films even think to look at male infertility? This is a great film because it does something different and presents people who seem like people--real people.

Now Pirotta's excellent story and directing really did a lot to create a great story. Fortunately for her, she also had some exceptional actors. All were very good, but there were some standouts. Christopher Mur ("Melvin") was just great. Apparently this was his first acting role and he's made several appearances since. I sure hope these other jobs allowed him to show off his great skills--they were sure evident here. In addition, Darian Weiss ("Chris") was just terrific as well. Many child actors seem very fake and I often feel that kids can be the weak link in a production. However, young Darian was wonderful--and it's one of the best child performances I've seen in ages. Restrained and not too cloying--exactly what the role demanded.

The bottom line is that this short film by brand new and inexperienced film makers shows much more talent than you usually see in films by established veterans. I would really love to see what these people could do with a larger budget and a full-length format--it will no doubt be amazing. See this film...and have a box of Kleenex nearby. A great film for everyone and it's not just a "chick flick".