Then She Found Me by Elinor Lipman has a breezy, sweep-through-the-pages feel, the way that “chick lit” (cringe at the term) often does, but Then She Found Me is not your typical chick lit. It’s the story of thoughtful, serious April Epner figuring out how to accept her newly found birth mother into her life.

The movie by the same title tops the book, but it is also a serious departure. The book is the story of a woman finding a mother and a husband. The movie, directed by and starring Helen Hunt, revolves around April’s desperate desire for a baby. April is in her late thirties, her husband just dumped her, and the clock is ticking.

The move succeeds through an array of wonderfully complex characters, with a cast to match the challenge. Helen Hunt sincerely portrays April’s insecurities and feistiness. The doughy ex-husband Ben (Matthew Broderick) epitomizes “whiny male” and yet we still manage to understand why April finds him cute. Meanwhile, instead of the book’s dorky, logical Dwight, we have passionate, tempestuous Frank (Colin Firth), who wants to love April but is hesitant to trust her. And last but not least, Bette Midler steps in to play Bernice, the bombastic birth mother. Bette Midler brings to life what the book hoped to accomplish in its characterization—an over-the-top, funny and kind woman.

Then She Found Me is a wonderful directorial debut for Helen Hunt. So, take your sister or mother or friend and go see it.

Also see Lit to Flick's Review of: Iron Man.

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