Casa De Los Babys (2003)

Set in an unnamed Latin American country, a disparate group of six Caucasian women (Maggie Gyllenhaal, Daryl Hannah, Mary Steenburgen, Marcia Gay Harden, Lili Taylor, Susan Lynch) are impatiently waiting out their required residency before taking custody of their adopted babies. Written and directed by John Sayles (LONE STAR). What could have been an engrossing look at white privilege in a third world country is compromised by Sayles' insistence on spreading himself too thin. He tries to cram too much into the film and the narrative suffers. In addition to the six women's stories, we get a look at homeless street urchins, a pregnant Latina teenager, an indigenous man who dreams of visiting the U.S., a group of radical communists, a teenage beach boy, a Latina single mother struggling to support her family etc. There's no focus. Because of this, even the American women's narrative is diffused because we get to know them only superficially. The acting is very good. With Rita Moreno as the owner of the hotel the women are staying. Also with Martha Higareda and Vanessa Martinez.