I just can't let these two summer movies go without comment.  They both moved me in a "What the heck are people thinking?" kind of way.  See if you agree. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to send me your comments.

1.  In this true story about triplets who were adopted as babies, the adoption agency intentionally placed them with three different families to support a 'nature vs nurture' study.  Of course I'm outraged for these boys, now men, and that a legitimate agency could have participated in denying these boys the chance to be raised as brothers. But furthermore, I'm disappointed that the adoption story in the public eye this summer is about such an anomoly, while thousands of fabulous agencies across the country work tirelessly every day to serve birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees. But that's not news.

2.  Mamma Mia! was watched this summer by just about every teen girl I know.  Both mother and daughter  accidentally get pregnant in their teens. The mother didn't know which of her three lovers was the father, and raised her child alone. On an idyllic Mediterranean isle, she was tasked with converting a run-down building into a quaint hotel destination, and given free housing in exchange for her work. The film doesn't explore her child-rearing years, so we don't learn how she earns a living. The film doesn't address any struggles of her life's reality, and is just one more Hollywood glamorization of single motherhood, which doesn't do today's young women any favors, IMHO. 

Our response?

When we have the chance, let's temper our reactions to these films with some practical realism. Let's agree that "Three Identical Strangers" is a tragic anomoly and encourage our girls to see Mama Mia2! for the fantasy story it is.