All She Ever Wanted

April 09, 2024

Denied the opportunity to adopt, a young and mentally ill woman strives to have her own baby against advice of doctors. Strong anti-abortion statement of "All She Ever Wanted" should generate some interesting discussion in political and religious circles.

Denied the opportunity to adopt, a young and mentally ill woman strives to have her own baby against advice of doctors. Strong anti-abortion statement of “All She Ever Wanted” should generate some interesting discussion in political and religious circles.

Rachel Stockman (Marcia Cross), a Georgia schoolteacher, has undergone lengthy treatment for “bipolar disorder” (that’s the current term for what used to be known as manic-depressive syndrome), which frightens several adoption agencies.

Rachel’s stand against abortion, recommended when her pregnancy is discovered , isn’t for religious reasons. It’s simply because she has it in her mind to have a child.

She stops her doses of lithium, against the advice of her doctor (CCH Pounder) and the instincts of her loving husband Joe (JamesMarshall) and mother (Carrie Snodgress). The only person who will stand up for willful Rachel is best friend Jessie Frank (Leila Kenzle).

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Lack of lithium results in Rachel speeding (at one point Tom comes home to find dinner on the table and his wife busy painting the ceiling) and eating so little that, the doctor warns Tom, the in utero baby may be starved to death. “Oh, pfft!,” he replies (by now resigned to his wife’s wishes). “We made it this far, we’re gonna get through it.”

Against what are painted as all odds, the baby is born. Big hugs are exchanged by all.

The idea behind “All She Ever Wanted” is its strong point; script by David Hill and acting, under Michael Scott’s direction, are so-so. To those not sympathetic with her, Rachel seems simply selfish, and Tom wimpy.

Kenzle’s character, particularly, seems equal parts conscientious friend and wacky neighbor: Those pulling for Rachel to take the safer route are likely to find Jessie simply annoying.

Tech credits are OK.

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