Writer/producer/director/actor Heather Graham’s passion project, Chosen Family, harkens back to a kinder and gentler time. The characters brought to fruition on screen are a reflection of some of humanity’s best traits. There is conflict present in the storyline, but it is quite subdued.
Ann (Heather Graham) is a successful yoga teacher who has a penchant for bad boyfriends and putting other people’s happiness before her own. Her home life includes a wayward sister, Clio (Julia Stiles), a bible bashing father, Alfred (Michael Gross) and a passive/aggressive mother, Dorothy (Julie Halston). The three do their best to manipulate Ann to their own benefit.
When Ann finally seems to have found a suitable boyfriend in construction ace Steve (John Brotherton), things start to turn around for her. However, when Steve’s daughter Lilly (Ella Grace Helton) enters the equation, things go awry, and Ann is faced with some tough decisions to make.
There is a place for films this simple and direct, and it would seem churlish to disregard the work for not being more complicated and angst-ridden. Graham’s attempt to show that personal strength comes in many varieties and looking after one’s own direction in life is paramount to internal happiness is a message that will always carry value.
“CHOSEN FAMILY” is now available on DVD and digital, including Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and more, in Australia and New Zealand!
Rob Hudson
www.walkdenentertainment.com
