Mixed Company
Kathy Morrison (Harris), mother of three, who helps run a "color-blind" adoption program, wants to have another biological child. Her husband, Pete (Bologna), the head coach of the Phoenix Suns, finds out he can't produce another child. Kathy thinks about adopting a boy, Frederic "Freddie" Wilcox, and Pete does not want to adopt a boy who happens to be black. When he relents, Freddie's arrival causes an upheaval in the Morrison's neighborhood, their school, and family. Kathy's answer is to adopt another child, in this case two, a war-traumatized half-Vietnamese girl, Quan Tran, and a Hopi boy, Joe. The new extended family must now learn to live together.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy white teenager from a conservative family is sent to live with his estranged, liberal aunt and uncle after his parents' divorce. He struggles to adapt to their unconventional lifestyle and the multiracial, multicultural environment of the inner-city school they enroll him in. Navigating new friendships and facing prejudices, he begins to question his own beliefs and values.
Critical Reception
Mixed Company was met with a mixed reception, with praise for its timely exploration of social issues and performances, particularly from Barbara Barrie. However, some critics found the narrative somewhat predictable and the handling of complex themes to be occasionally simplistic.
What Reviewers Say
- The film is commended for its attempts to address racial and social integration in a meaningful way.
- Performances, especially from the adult cast, are often highlighted as a strong point.
- Some reviews noted that the film's resolution felt a bit too neat for the issues it presented.
Google audience: Audience reception information for this film is not readily available through Google Reviews.
Fun Fact
The film was one of the earlier attempts in mainstream cinema to tackle themes of interracial adoption and integration within the context of a teenage coming-of-age story.
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