{"id":86050,"date":"2022-08-01T23:30:59","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T06:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86050"},"modified":"2022-08-01T23:30:59","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T06:30:59","slug":"baby-maker-the-1970","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86050","title":{"rendered":"Baby Maker, The (1970)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;If we do decide to go ahead, there are certain things we&#8217;d insist upon.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Poster-193x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"193\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-86053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Poster-193x300.png 193w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Poster-82x128.png 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Poster-174x270.png 174w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Poster.png 611w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 193px) 100vw, 193px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA free-spirited young woman (Barbara Hershey) offers to serve as a surrogate for an infertile woman (Collin Wilcox Paxton) and her husband (Sam Groom), but soon finds that her boyfriend (Scott Glenn) isn&#8217;t happy with all the changes this brings to their lives.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Barbara Hershey Films<\/li>\n<li>Counterculture<\/li>\n<li>James Bridges Films<\/li>\n<li>Pregnancy<\/li>\n<li>Scott Glenn Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nAs Peary writes, &#8220;James Bridges&#8217;s directorial debut features a fine, heartfelt performance by Barbara Hershey as a hippie who is hired by a straight-laced, well-to-do couple&#8230; to be a surrogate mother.&#8221; He notes that the &#8220;story emphasizes the awkward relationship between the three characters, beginning with the day Groom first has sex with Hershey, through her pregnancy, to after the birth of the child.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Handshake.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Handshake.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Handshake.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Handshake-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Handshake-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Handshake-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He argues that while the &#8220;dialogue, as well as the look of the film, is dated,&#8221; the &#8220;premise is still timely,&#8221; and points out that Hershey &#8220;gives a believable, sensitive characterization playing a young woman who very much fit her own early free-spirit image.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey4.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey4-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey4-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey4-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What Peary doesn&#8217;t mention is the equally important emphasis on how Hershey&#8217;s decision impacts her relationship with Glenn. At first he&#8217;s fine with the idea of his girlfriend making money in this way (and it&#8217;s her choice, anyway) &#8212; but he soon realizes what a (legitimate) imposition it is on their lives, and thankfully, he isn&#8217;t villainized for making a tough call at a certain point. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Glenn.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Glenn.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Glenn.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Glenn-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Glenn-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Glenn-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, to the film&#8217;s credit, it doesn&#8217;t shy away from any of the <em>many<\/em> challenging dilemmas this type of arrangement evokes &#8212; starting with the negotiated logistics, handled under-the-radar by a mysterious woman (Lili Valenty) whose house in the hills of Malibu is only accessible through a funicular.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Valenty.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Valenty.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Valenty.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Valenty-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Valenty-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Valenty-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A contract is drawn up and signed, but that doesn&#8217;t prevent emotions from running high all around &#8212; as they would. While it&#8217;s far from perfect, I&#8217;m recommending this film as must-see viewing simply for its bold willingness to handle such a sticky topic.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Barbara Hershey as Tish<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Hershey-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine supporting performances<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Supporting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Supporting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Supporting.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Supporting-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Supporting-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Supporting-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A bold exploration of a challenging social dilemma<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Three-Parents.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Three-Parents.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"416\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-86056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Three-Parents.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Three-Parents-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Three-Parents-128x74.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baby-Maker-Three-Parents-467x270.png 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for its historical relevance as the first (American) film to deal with this topic &#8212; and for Hershey&#8217;s performance. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0065441\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/the-baby-maker\/review\/2030124260\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;If we do decide to go ahead, there are certain things we&#8217;d insist upon.&#8221; Synopsis: A free-spirited young woman (Barbara Hershey) offers to serve as a surrogate for an infertile woman (Collin Wilcox Paxton) and her husband (Sam Groom), but soon finds that her boyfriend (Scott Glenn) isn&#8217;t happy with all the changes this brings to their lives. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Barbara Hershey Films Counterculture James Bridges Films Pregnancy Scott Glenn Films Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: As Peary&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86050\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=86050"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86065,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86050\/revisions\/86065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=86050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=86050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=86050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}