Highly Overrated But Still Good

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

To those thinking (review by jk-692-236394 (United States)) this only happened in Australia, do some research. It happened in the USA between 1940's and 1970's, google Baby Scoop Era.The show is excellent and entertaining, much at the subject matter is heart-breaking. You can't just watch rainbow-coloured shows, but face reality.

I was born in 1957, so I have a vague memory of the Vietnam War and how it divided my country. I wasn't old enough to consider how it affected other countries around the world. I'm not sure but that I even knew that Australia sent military there. I always find I learn something from the shows and movies produced in Australia and Great Britain. I'm a huge fan of the 1960's, early 70's music and this show is packed with it. I'm even quite impressed with whoever is really singing. Nothing but the highest praise for the costuming, sets, props, etc. Very authentic. After watching 3 seasons, it appears that Australia was very much a part of the sexual revolution! Babies, babies, everywhere!I can't wait for Season 4!

Since I am American, when I watch certain Australian shows, I often end up doing some research to understand and learn what is happening or if it is based on real facts or history. I watched the first season of this show, but never checked on it until the 2nd season. I found this show upsetting in the way they seemed to force these poor girls to give up their babies. It felt different from maternity homes in our history. Or if you looked at the Call the Midwife show from the UK. I was shocked when I found out this was a forced government situation/program from the 1950's-1970's in Australia. It is truly beyond my comprehension how this was done to these women. It was their parents, the nurses and doctors and I guess the places they sent them, some of them church based, but it appears it was not a religious movement, it was a misguided, parental moralist government movement against out of wedlock women. I find this very sad and depressing. The show is depressing to me because of this as well. It makes me want to time travel back and help these women and I feel helpless watching it. One lady said in a newspaper article she cannot watch it because she is one of the children who was taken from her mother, and it is too upsetting for her to watch. I can certainly see that.

Australia has produced some of my favourite TV over the years and Love Child is no exception. Set in the late 60's it centres around the (to us now) heinous forced adoption practices that went on back then.It is interesting to see a modern show tackling such a "dark ages" issue and it does it well.Although the underlying adoption practices are at the heart of the show, I found the characters to be the real draw for me. They are distinct and varied and no one is entirely black or white as far as morals and ethics go. Just when you think you have a character pegged into a hole, something is revealed to make you reevaluate the reasons behind their actions.The acting is very good and Jessica Marais (playing Sister Joan Miller, the main character of the story) has an absolutely wonderful ability to get across feelings and emotions with almost no facial movement at all. I'm not sure how she does it, but it is distinctive and very effective. She can, and does, show plenty of obvious emotion too, but it was these subtle expressions that really stand out. I can't think of any other actor that can do that.I would never have thought I would get into a show like this, but I am glad I did. It just sucks that now I have to wait a year for season 2! I'm hoping that, by then, the Nine Network will have dispensed with its "must be in Australia to view this program" nonsense which, let's be honest, is absolutely no bar to anyone with any online experience.SEASON 2 EDIT: Just as good as the first season. Even when I'm not sure I want to watch something too dramatic, within a few minutes of starting the episode I'm hooked. Yep, it is just awesome!SUMMARY: Tackles a difficult issue. Good acting and characters with depth. Not all doom and gloom but it will grip you and not let go. Definitely worth a watch.