Wonderful Movie

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

Award winning writer/director James Lapine pulls out all stops with this full on study of the US Family Law Court: its employees, several various related services, & families involved with some of its outcomes. This quite powerful production has the look of a made for Cinema feature that went straight to TV. Performances are first class, as is the cinematography and music score. Lapine has included many story elements (too many perhaps?) giving it the feel of a pilot for yet another upcoming endless series (thank heavens it was all wrapped up in a feature) & while there are unresolved situations, we know enough to fill in the spaces. Good looking and absorbing - can recommend 'Custody' for any lover of dramatic studies that deal with contemporary social issues.

Director and writer James Lapine did a decent job with this screenplay. Sure this story has been done many times over, but having the wonderful and impactful Viola Davis in this film gave it that extra little boost it needed. Although the slow pacing could not be saved by Viola, the story in its entirety was pretty good. Would I see it again? No. Would I recommend it? Sure, if I know someone likes this type of film. It's a 7/10 from me.

The unrealistic ratings about this movie made me even register on IMDb. The movie deserves absolutely nothing, except the fact that the actors triggered The Supreme Community to rain 5 stars all over. Theme is absolutely trivial. Actors are trivial. What is not trivial here? Unfortunately, this is happening to almost all US movies and I had to witness horrified this year how hate, hypocrisy and chauvinism ruined the Oscars in a US where the roles are the other way around by 180 degrees as they were 100 years ago. Nice leap back in time, completely understandable by who's driving it.

Outstanding film showcasing the interpersonal relationships of people working and involved in family court regarding children.Everyone here from the judge to the defendant has his own personal story of woe; however, we do rise above a Peyton Place mentality.As the judge, Viola Davis turns in a great performance in finding out about her unfaithful husband and thinking back to the brother she lost from a heroine overdose.We see the shortcomings of the ACS agency with their delays, foul-ups and sometimes tragedy ensuing.We see a brand new lawyer assigned to a case where a mother disciplining her child is thought to have abused the child. We see what this mother has to go through in court due to legal hang-ups and a system stretched to the limit.Nothing is sugar-coated here including the ending.