Miami International Film Festival 2012

Eileen Cleary (Kathleen Turner) is a devout member of her local parish. Her dedication is noted by Monsignor Murphy (Richard Chamberlain) who explains to her that she’s been nominated for the “Catholic Woman of the Year” award. Eileen’s happiness is immediately put to test when she discovers that her nemesis Agnes Dunn (Sharon Lawrence) has also been nominated for the prestigious award.

Eileen feels immense pressure for the upcoming “home visit” element of the competition; she’s anxious to be able to demonstrate her family represents the values and lifestyle of a “perfect” Catholic family. Yet Eileen’s reality couldn’t be further from “perfect”… her husband, firefighter Frank (Michael McGrady), is a recovering alcoholic; her lesbian daughter Shannon (Emily Deschanel) is planning a family with her soon-to-be wife and her son Frank Jr. (Jason Ritter) has just walked out on his marriage to be involved with a much older woman.

Miami born-and-raised producer Jen Dubin’s new feature film, directed by Anne Renton, is a refreshing and well-acted tale of wishes vs. wisdom. – Jaie Laplante