MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

postmanwhoalwaysringstwice The documentary "My Flesh and Blood" is one of those cases when the phrase life is stranger than fiction might come in handy. That's not quite the right expression, but put another way without the guise of reality the story in this film would be completely unbelievable and insanely melodramatic. It follows exactly one year in the life of a woman in California and her eleven adopted special needs children. This is harrowing and heartbreaking stuff that might be one of the most intense human dramas ever to be shot. One can only wonder why this woman would ask for such challenges in her everyday life. There's no shortage of them, whether due to her verbally abusive sociopath son or the short life expectancy of several of her other children. How much misery and reality can one person sustain? It's hard enough to watch the film without squirming. This is a well-made, highly affecting film that depresses as often as it uplifts. Highly recommended.

samsrini I thought that it was a very important film. I think that it showed that Susan is very open to taking these beautiful children in, and it also showed that she is human and has problems. I think that it was very important of the film makers to put in the scene with her mother and how the grandmother said that she was never good with her children and never told them that she loved them. It also touched that Susan is lonely. I give her so much credit to have taken in these children and hopefully giving them a sense of family. I feel that Margret has been given a very difficult life, and I hope that she is able to be a young woman. Anthony haunted me, what a brave beautiful man that I hope can live without fear of death. I thought that Joe was so full of anger, and fear and it was sad that he went on, but I thought that his biological mother and new father being absent at his funeral was the most tragic of all. The fact that the woman has 8 children and not one lives with her is awful. When they shipped his ashes uninsured it was just telling of the real situation with all these true human beings, the fact that Margret had to do it, was in telling in itself. I just wish each and everyone of them all the best.

jrd00 Never have I watched a film that I have felt has seriously changed my outlook on life or made me want to go on-line and write a comment on it like I am now. Director Jonathan Karsh created a wonderful film, but what's more is that it's real. This isn't a Hollywood script; it's the story of a caring lady and her life as a mother (Susan Tom) of 13 adopted children with various mental and physical disabilities. The personalities of the children come alive in the movie. Once it starts, you all ready feel like you've known this family for a long time. It really does make you look at your life and realize that your problems are nothing compared to the problems these kids and Ms. Tom deal with everyday, yet they live their lives full of laughter and love. Very gripping and touching film.

Steve Basile (baze) If not for bumping into the filmmaker at another SXSW Film Festival screening, I would have dismissed this as potentially a tear-jerker freak show. The synopsis did not grab me. Mr. Karsh did--he is as passionate as his subject matter.Don't make the mistake I almost made--see this and prepare to meet some of the most indelibly etched characters life has ever created on screen. HBO/Cinemax has apparently agreed to pick this up for showing in late 2003/early 2004 so you should have a chance to see it there, but I really hope it finds release on DVD.Karsh creates and incredibly moving portrait of a family like no other, built on the solid foundation of one amazing mother. With an engaging, suspenseful dramatic arc that could not possibly have been scripted, the film shows laughter, fear, anger, rage, love, frustration and difficult resolution. As in any family, there are no easy answers to life's daily challenges. With unique access and a "cast" of dreams, it is an absolutely unforgettable slice of life that should make each of us aware of how much we have for which to be thankful. Part documentary, part cinema verite, it is 100% engaging till the last frame. See it and prepare to meet the Toms.