THE BABY FORMULA (Canada 2008) ***
Directed by Alison Reid

THE BABY FORMULA uses the fake documentary process to tell a story.  In this case, the story concerns two women (lesbians, obviously) who take a chance with stem cell grafting to fertilize their own ovaries thus having their own biological babies.  Yes, babies with one for each of the 2 mothers (played convincingly by Angela Lint and Megan Fahlenbock).  A camera and crew follow the two women throughout the movie.

THE BABY FORMULA has a very good idea going for it.  Light and refreshing, the debatable controversial issues are dispensed away with for comedy with a little bit of drama and romance.  With the plot of a doc being made of the impregnation and delivery process (which is fictional), director Alison Reid’s film has an authentic feel to it.  THE BABY FORMULA offers two sides of view – the male and female – of the whole situation, aided by the fact that the script was written by a male, Richard Beattie (COLD COMFORT).

Comedic set pieces are effective enough – the main one concerning a get-together of the mothers’ parents – one straight and the other not.  Best supporting performances go to Dmitry Chepovertsky and Richard Dunn as Lilith’s flaming queen fathers.  Issues as trust, love, support, religion and homosexuality are covered and appropriately balanced.  The deliberate sparse use of music also helps the documentary feel in this non-documentary.  The script contains some good lines during arguments (e.g. a lie is a break in trust).  A slight problem is the film’s uneasy ending.  The scene in the delivery room during the Pride celebration is a bit awkward.  A few friends (like the Pride drag queen) is present but is nowhere else seen during the film.  (The actor, a friend of mine who played that part told me that all his speaking lines were cut out of the film.)

The fake documentary has been proved highly successful in storytelling and used in films more frequently these days, from films like the recent MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS to the Sacha Baron Cowan comedies BORAT and upcoming BRUNO.  The entire formula works for Reid’s film, which is entertaining delight from start to finish.  THE BABY FORMULA won the audience award in the recent Toronto Inside Out Lesbian and Gay film Festival.