Karen (Annette Bening from “Being Julia” and “American Beauty”) is a bitter and judgmental health care professional at a rehab clinic. She still feels remorse over giving her baby up for adoption almost 40 years ago after she got pregnant at age 14.

Elizabeth (Naomi Watts from “21 Grams”) is an ambitious and intelligent attorney who uses her sex appeal to control situations. She was raised by adoptive parents and has been independent since age 17, relying on her natural instincts.

Lucy (Kerry Washington from “Ray”) has been married for four years and is unable to conceive. She desperately wants to be a mother and turns to a church adoption bureau run by Sister Joanne (Cherry Jones from “24”) for help.

The movie goes back and forth to each separate storyline. The men in each of these standout women’s lives are given meaty roles. Jimmy Smits (“NYPD Blue”) plays Paco, an understanding male nurse who is attracted to Karen even though she makes him feel uncomfortable. Samuel L. Jackson (“Changing Lanes” and “Pulp Fiction”) has never been better in the dramatic role of Paul, Elizabeth’s senior partner who crosses the line between business and pleasure. Lucy’s husband Joseph (David Ramsey) has always wanted to father his own child and struggles with the idea of raising the offspring from the union of two strangers.

All three stories are compelling and hold your interest. You develop empathy for each woman’s plight and a connection forms like an invisible umbilical cord. Despite being male, Garcia seems to have a keen insight of maternal feelings. He has fashioned a well-drawn character study in his exploration of these complex women. He pulls all the threads together in a very unusual way with a satisfying circle of life conclusion.

Bening gives her best performance in years and makes a remarkable transformation that deserves Oscar consideration. Watts is also outstanding as an intimidating sexual predator. Washington starts out low key but gains a more important foothold in the film’s latter stages.

The supporting cast is strong and effective, especially S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law & Order”) as Lucy’s mother Ada. This movie packs an emotional wallop and women will get the most out of the way difficult decisions are reached in life-changing situations. It is now playing at AMC Studio 30, Cinemark Palace and the Glenwood Red Bridge.

Review By:
Keith Cohen "The Movie Guy"