Very well acted but only sporadically moving tearjerker from the same guy that brought us "Love Story".
Husband and father of two lovely daughters Sheen discovers that a short affair in France ten years ago resulted in a son. After the death of the boy's mother, the son comes to America for a visit and that puts a strain on his wife, and ultimately, his whole family.
This never really takes off. Blythe Danner gives a terrific performance as Sheen's wife who's suddenly faced with a grim reality. Her actions are the most believable in the film, you'd understand why she insisted on the boy coming rather than her husband going to France. Other than that, scenes involving Sheen and 10 year old Sebastian Duncan (in a good performance) are cute but rather superficial and overly sentimental, with pretty bad dialog as well. Plus, the film shamelessly goes for sobs in the end with a needlessly sad conclusion.
Still, "Man, Woman and Child" works as an OK tearjerker and the universal message of people being far from perfect is always welcomed. Performances are very good and it's great fun to see future "Coach" star Craig T. Nelson in a supportive role (his character could easily have been called Hayden Fox) and the criminally underrated David Hemmings.
Husband and father of two lovely daughters Sheen discovers that a short affair in France ten years ago resulted in a son. After the death of the boy's mother, the son comes to America for a visit and that puts a strain on his wife, and ultimately, his whole family.
This never really takes off. Blythe Danner gives a terrific performance as Sheen's wife who's suddenly faced with a grim reality. Her actions are the most believable in the film, you'd understand why she insisted on the boy coming rather than her husband going to France. Other than that, scenes involving Sheen and 10 year old Sebastian Duncan (in a good performance) are cute but rather superficial and overly sentimental, with pretty bad dialog as well. Plus, the film shamelessly goes for sobs in the end with a needlessly sad conclusion.
Still, "Man, Woman and Child" works as an OK tearjerker and the universal message of people being far from perfect is always welcomed. Performances are very good and it's great fun to see future "Coach" star Craig T. Nelson in a supportive role (his character could easily have been called Hayden Fox) and the criminally underrated David Hemmings.