Plot Summary
Though Constance is going through dialysis and is waiting for a kidney donor match, she knows that God has been good to her. Her son Douglas always takes care of her and she loves her grandson. However, she harbors a secret from her past that hardly anyone knows about. Yet little does she know is that God is about to set into motion events that will reconcile the past and bring redemption to them all.
Production Quality (2.5 points)
Gary Wheeler is always reliable in crafting a professional production. There are very few errors to speak of in the production of this film. Video quality is excellent, as it camera work and audio quality. The soundtrack is good, even if it’s a little pedestrian. Sets, locations, and props are professional and appropriate for the film. The only small error to point out here pertains to some minor editing issues that cause the plot to be confusing. Yet in the end, as a made-for-television movie, this production is what it should be.
Plot and Storyline Quality (.5 point)
Unfortunately, as a made-for-TV movie, Somebody’s Child lacks creativity in an attempt to be safe and marketable. Though the idea behind it is interesting and though the circumstances the characters experience are realistic, this story is still too underdeveloped. Dialogue is very generic, thus making the characters one-dimensional. This is a character-based plot, which means we need deep characters, yet this is not the case here. There is too much wasted time in this plot and not enough scenes that develop the characters—it feels like they are just swept along in the plot without any feeling. Finally, the ending is very rushed and seemingly unfeeling. Unfortunately, though this movie had everything going for it, the story fails to come through.
Acting Quality (2.5 points)
As a professional cast with obviously good coaching, there are very few errors to speak of here. Sometimes emotions aren’t what they should be, but they mostly are. Line delivery is always on point, even if the cast member doesn’t have a very good line to work with. Overall, Somebody’s Child is a professional film that falls short of greatness.
Conclusion
Many audiences will enjoy this film, but we are always looking for films that take that next step out of mediocrity (even professional mediocrity) and become a great, difference-making film. With this type of funding and platform, this was possible here, but the plot needs a lot of beefing up in order for this to be case with Somebody’s Child. Hopefully in the future opportunities like this will no longer be wasted.
Final Rating: 5.5 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 