Recently, I found myself confessing to my colleagues that I had never viewed the 1987 film ‘Baby Boom’, a notable piece of feminist cinema. They were shocked, particularly given Diane Keaton’s portrayal of a high-powered New York management consultant who unexpectedly inherits a little girl instead of the million-dollar fortune she expected. I tried to justify my absence from this cultural touchstone by citing my focus on more “important” films from that year, such as ‘Moonstruck’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’. However, my coworkers were unimpressed and insisted I correct my cinematic oversight. Thus, I reluctantly sat down to watch ‘Baby Boom’, fully anticipating that a film about a woman balancing a career and motherhood in the late ’80s might not resonate in 2015.
Surprisingly, I discovered that my initial skepticism was misplaced. ‘Baby Boom’ proved to be an entertaining blend of workplace humor and romantic comedy, although I would have likely adored it more had I seen it in my early teens. Yet, it was also filled with cringe-worthy moments, particularly in its portrayal of a working mother facing sexism—an issue that, sadly, still exists today. Here are my reflections:
- The film opens with women in power suits and big hairstyles, accompanied by a voiceover declaring, “Sociologists say the new working woman is the phenomenon of our time.” I chuckled at the notion of this “new phenomenon,” only to feel a pang of nostalgia for simpler times, especially considering today’s challenges like revenge porn.
- Diane Keaton’s character, J.C., is amusingly dubbed “The Tiger Lady,” a nickname she embraces. It’s puzzling that she tolerates such a sexist moniker, reminiscent of someone calling themselves “That Bitch.” Also, Keaton appears to have defied aging over the past 28 years.
- James Spader’s youthful appeal is undeniable, even if ‘The Blacklist’ has changed our perceptions of him.
- Shoulder pads, once widely criticized, may not be so bad after all. They create a distinct silhouette that has its own geometric charm.
- J.C.’s belted suits are undeniably stylish. We might want to revisit the trend of wearing wide belts over our outfits, as Michelle Obama once encouraged.
- One memorable scene involves J.C. taking a phone call in bed, clad in a nightgown that mimics a dress shirt, complete with a Rolodex on her bedside table—ah, the height of tech in that era!
- The quick handoff of the baby at the airport raises questions about security and the absurdity of such a situation. It certainly made me reconsider my will.
- Dropping the baby at a coat check in a fancy restaurant might be played for laughs, but it feels out of place in today’s context.
- During a shopping spree at FAO Schwarz, J.C. gifts her daughter a Cricket doll, known for its catchphrase, “Are we having fun or what?”
- The adoption agency scene, where J.C. hands off her child like a yard sale item, is both humorous and unsettling due to its lack of procedure.
- J.C. faces discrimination at work when her bosses withdraw her major account, attributing it to her new role as a mother. Her protest—“I’m not going to turn into Erma Bombeck!”—underscores a serious issue still faced by many women today.
- The playground scenes reveal the extravagant fashion choices of the time, resembling a retro American Apparel campaign.
- After relocating to Vermont, J.C.’s love interest is portrayed by a young Sam Shepard. I couldn’t help but look him up post-viewing, reminiscing about how time changes us all.
- Interestingly, ‘Baby Boom’ was adapted into a one-season TV series in 1988, featuring Kate Jackson. My colleagues were quick to remind me that I missed this as well, but after finally viewing the film, I hope they’ll overlook my past pop culture gaps.
In conclusion, while ‘Baby Boom’ provides a humorous look at the intersection of career and motherhood, it also highlights some recurring societal issues. If you’re interested in exploring family planning options, resources such as Make a Mom’s artificial insemination kit can be quite helpful, along with their guide on couples’ fertility journeys. For those looking into more advanced reproductive options, UCSF’s information on IVF serves as an excellent resource.
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