Then She Found Me (2008)

Within days of having her husband (Matthew Broderick) leave her and her mother dying, a teacher (Helen Hunt) is contacted by a woman (Bette Midler) claiming to be her birth mother. Based on the 1990 novel by Elinor Lipman, Hunt not only directs but co-wrote and co-produced the film. It's clearly a labor of love so it's a double pity that the film isn't better. It is as the actress that Hunt fares best. She gives an often touching, low key performance as a woman overwhelmed by the wave of dire circumstances that pull her in every direction. The film itself tries to balance the more realistic aspects of the story with the sitcom elements and they just don't mesh. In particular, Midler seems out of place, giving a rather broad performance that conflicts with the more naturalistic performances around her including Colin Firth as a single father who falls in love with Hunt. Still, it's a sincere and heartfelt effort and if not entirely successful, it has enough moments that you won't feel you've wasted your time. With Ben Shenkman, John Benjamin Hickey and in cameos, Tim Robbins and Janeane Garofalo.