Switched at Birth (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Douglas Barr

Writers (WGA):

Arlene Sarner (written by) &
Jerry Leichtling (written by)

Release Date:

24 November 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

On the same night, Milford maternity delivers Morgan, businessman James and Sarah's son, and Linda's boy Luke Wells...

Plot Keywords:

Based On True Story

Cast

Melissa Gilbert	...	Sarah Barlow
Rosanna Arquette	...	Linda Wells
David Andrews	...	James Barlow
James McCaffrey	...	Darryl
Mary Mara	...	Judy
Susan Barnes	...	Marie
Ron Snyder	...	Bert Wells
Joe Ivy	...	Joseph Vankay, Esq.
Bruce Burkhartsmeier	...	Michael Turner, Esq.
Robert Blanche	...	Dr. Nerenberg
Sharonlee McLean	...	Louise Dennis
Raissa Fleming	...	Dr. Amy Popkin
Lester B. Hanson	...	Dr. Lee
Peter Lohnes	...	Dr. Ullman
Rob Stockton	...	Orderly Jimmy

Also Known As:

Mistaken Identity (UK) (video title)
Two Babies: Switched at Birth (USA)

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Newberg, Oregon, USA

Company:

Alexander/Enright & Associates

Goofs:

Continuity: Sharon A. Mitchell is listed as "Judge Marshak", but in the movie her name is shown to be "Judge Marion Hopkins."

Enjoyable Baby Bedlam

So as the title suggests we have a great baby switch in the hospital setting off a lovely chain of events.

It's reasonably easy to produce an average movie with the subject matter. Most of your audience will be thinking, what would I do? So they make their decisions, and the two families get along fine. This leaves you with the irritation of waiting for some totally irrational event to spiral it out of control into a sneering match.

Fortunately it is handled well with no clear cut, we like you... and now we don't. Their interaction fluctuates as you would expect in real life, as in they try to be pleasant and understanding, but ultimately do see things differently.

A Couple of good subplots occur to spice up the mix, making this quite a good film. The trade off with not letting the film drag on over 90 minutes means some of the secondary characters remain one dimensional and bland.

In summary the films starts a bit slow, good in the middle a little annoying at the start of the final act and rounds off... ah haa that would just hint at what the ending might entail. Pleasant.