I first saw Baby Boom many years ago.  I enjoyed the movie then and have watched it again many times over the years.  I found the movie on television recently and decided to watch it again.  

Career woman J.C. Wiatt doesn't have much time for anything outside of her work, but she is happy.  She does have a live in boyfriend, Steven, who also has a hectic work schedule.  J.C. doesn't know what to do when she ends up with custody of Elizabeth, the baby of a distant relative that she hasn't seen in years.  She struggles with the changes in her life while her relationship with Steven ends.  Things happen that cause her to decide to buy a house in Vermont and move there with Elizabeth.  J.C. faces expensive repairs, starting a new relationship with local veterinarian Jeff Cooper, and starting her own business making gourmet baby food.

The plot for Baby Boom isn't complicated and ends up being predictable overall.  Some viewers may be disappointed by that, though I still think the movie is entertaining.  J.C. and her very busy lifestyle are introduced during the first several minutes of the movie.  It doesn't take long for Elizabeth to turn up and change things for J.C.'s life.  Most of what happens is predictable.  I wasn't surprised by any of the major developments, though one or two minor things are slightly surprising.

J.C. adjusting to having a baby to take care of is the main focus of Baby Boom.  She tries to refuse taking Elizabeth at first, but ends up taking her.  She struggles to deal with Elizabeth for a while, and is even on the verge of giving her up for adoption at one point before deciding to keep her.  J.C. has a very demanding job, and her decision to keep Elizabeth impacts her work.  Several scenes deal with J.C. bonding with Elizabeth without putting her into a lot of silly situations with the baby.  There are a few montage type of scenes that show the changes in J.C. that work fairly well.  The movie isn't bogged down with a lot of useless subplots.  I think that makes the plot stronger.  The score for the movie isn't that great, and some of the music, especially during the montage type scenes, really isn't good at all.

Baby Boom has some funny moments, but it isn't what I consider a hilarious movie.  Some things connected to how J.C. is adjusting to Elizabeth do add a little bit of humor.  Once J.C. moves to Vermont, there are a few situations there that are funny.  J.C. is not use to living in the country and she clearly has no idea how to deal with some situations.  She does have a bit of a flip out at one point after something else has gone wrong with the house.  Her flip out isn't that huge, but it does add humor.  Her first meeting with Jeff ends up being a bit funny as well.  The movie doesn't have gross or crude humor.  That type of humor wouldn't have worked for the movie at all.

When Baby Boom begins, J.C. is living with Steven.  They have been in a relationship for a while, though they have no plans to get married.  Both of them work really long hours and don't have much time to devote to the relationship.  That does manage to work for the relationship.  Based on one scene, it seems like there is no passion in their relationship even though they have sex.  The one time it is clear that they are having sex, they are done almost before they start.  It isn't surprising that the relationship doesn't last.  After being in Vermont for a while, J.C. starts spending some time with Jeff after a rocky first meeting.  Not much is shown happening between them either, so there really isn't a lot of romance for the movie.

J.C. is the main character in Baby Boom and she receives the most attention.  She is devoted to her career and on track to becoming a partner before getting Elizabeth.  After that, her priorities slowly start changing.  She does struggle with being a mother at first, but she starts figuring things out.  J.C. does go through some changes over the course of the movie.  I do like Diane Keaton in the part.  Elizabeth isn't very old, so Kristina and Michelle Kennedy don't have a lot to do.  They are really cute in the part.  Harold Ramis is barely in the movie as Steven.

Fritz is J.C.'s demanding boss.  He really isn't a bad guy, but he isn't that likable either, especially considering some decisions he makes concerning J.C. once she has Elizabeth.  Fritz isn't around that much, so Sam Wanamaker doesn't have a lot to do.  James Spader turns up briefly as Ken, a younger man that J.C. has worked with.  He ends up being a bit of a jerk.  Jeff is the character in Vermont that is shown the most even though he isn't in a lot of the movie.  He is the vet for the town and he seems to be a nice guy.  Sam Shepherd handles the part fine.  The other people around the small town in Vermont aren't shown that much.

Main Cast

Diane Keaton - J.C. Wiatt
Kristina and Michelle Kennedy - Elizabeth
Harold Ramis - Steven
Sam Shepherd - Jeff
James Spader - Ken
Sam Wanamaker - Fritz

Charles Shyer - Director

I can't remember if I first saw Baby Boom on television or if I rented it on VHS.  I have seen the movie several times over the years, usually on television, and I'll still watch it when I find it on.  The movie has had a few DVD releases, though I have no idea what sort of extras they have.

Baby Boom is an entertaining movie even though it is predictable.  Fans of Diane Keaton should give it a chance.

This review is part of CaptainD's Good Movies EpiGuide 3 Write Off.

Diane Keaton Movie Reviews
Because I Said So ~ The Family Stone ~ Father of the Bride ~ Father of the Bride Part II ~ Plan B ~ Something's Gotta Give ~

Recommended: Yes