Comme Les Autres (French) [Baby Love]

There have been very few gay themed films which have highlighted the topic of chilld adoption in gay community. Thankfully most of them have been handled with sensitivity and maturity. This film can easily be added in the list of those few films. The best part of this film is that it has a light dry wit running through it with many little surprises along the way. 

Manu, a gay pediatrician in his forties, lives with his partner Philippe, a lawyer. Manu loves kids and desperately wants to adopt one with his partner. The reality is that Philippe is pleased with his present life and will not have it spoiled by the invading presence of a wailing brat. They both try to reason on the argument and in absence of a consensus, the two lovers part. Manu's quest for a surrogate mother begins. He finds a young girl Fina, who is Argentinian immigrant, also looking for legal paperwork so that she could stay in France. They become friends and after Fina gets to know Manu better agrees to bear Manu's child as a sign to thank him. In reality, she is totally falling in love with him. When the tests are done, it turns out that Manu cannot bear a child and he then requests Phillipe to donate his sperm to Fina. Complications arise and finally he gives in. Fina becomes pregnant and in heat of love, passion and respect, Manu and Fina get physical. Fina is now totally in love with Manu but he knows he is gay and tries to get the facts right. They marry for legal reasons but in their heart Philippe and Manu want to get back together and they ultimately do which is not acceptable to Fina. She leaves them but gives them a call when she is about to deliver. Manu and Philippe finally get their baby and are as happy as they wanted to be.

The film is definitely not perfect. Viewers are not shown any sign of proximity between the 2 lovers, as such it is hard to digest that they part so easily and either of them hardly show any sadness because of it. Instead all of Manu's energies are focussed on baby. All mistakes he makes trying to find a mom are handled pretty well with touch of humor. The scene when Manu tells that he broke up with Philippe and Fina is mothering his child with Philipe's baby is pretty funny. Movie, though predictable at most times, still manages to hold proper attention from viewers. The acting is decent and viewers feel more for Fina's character.I was able to connect with this film at a personal level.

Definitely worth a watch. It is pretty decent. (7/10)