The Next Best Thing

The Next Best Thing, a dramatic romantic comedy directed by John Schlesinger, was released in 2000 and stars Madonna, Rupert Everett, and Benjamin Bratt. This film expertly blends elements of drama, romance, and comedy to create an engaging narrative about unconventional parenthood, friendship, love, and legal struggles. The movie straddles the cusp of a new millennium, examining modern interpretations of relationships and family structures.

Rupert Everett stars as Robert, a charismatic British man living in Los Angeles who has a successful career as a gardener and landscape architect. He is openly gay and has an enduring friendship with the yoga instructor, Abbie, portrayed by Madonna. They share an inseparable bond throughout the years, marked by their shared longing to find companionship and love.

One day, their lives take a surprising turn that changes their relationship's dynamics considerably. After a fun night out, they go from being just friends to something more significant, and this weekend fling results in an unexpected pregnancy. The juxtaposition of their lighthearted camaraderie and their sudden emergence into parenthood provides the film's central conflict and creates a raw depiction of life-altering choices and their consequences.

Their initial apprehension transforms into shared devotion when they decide to raise their son, Sam, together. Despite the unusual arrangement, they manage to create a blissful environment for Sam, immersed in love and support. In this sense, The Next Best Thing holds up a mirror to contemporary social dynamics, painting a picture of a happy and loving non-traditional family.

However, the implicit boundaries of their arrangement get violated when Madonna's character, Abbie, falls in love with Ben, played by Benjamin Bratt. Underneath Bratt's rugged good looks and chivalrous charm is a polished and successful New York investment banker. His entrance into their lives brings about an upheaval that leads to an emotional roller-coaster, questioning the constructs of family, loyalty, and friendship.

The subplot of The Next Best Thing explores the complexity of Ben's relationship with Abbie, Robert, and Sam. Abbie's love for Ben destroys the delicate balance of their unusual family dynamic, forcing Robert to confront his feelings of betrayal and abandonment. The ingenuous inclusion of Benjamin Bratt’s character in the film serves as a catalyst for escalating predicaments. He infuses the narrative's plot with a degree of tension and uncertainty that spirals into a dramatic courtroom custody battle.

The Next Best Thing truly stands out for its commendable performances. Rupert Everett shines in portraying Robert's complexity and emotional vulnerabilities, creating a character that is both compelling and endearing. Despite the comedic elements in his role, Everett crafts Robert's character with a sense of gravity, imbuing him with a nuanced depiction of hurt, betrayal, and love towards Abbie and Sam.

Madonna, as Abbie, delivers a heartfelt performance. Madonna’s role as a lovable, free-spirited single mother tussling with life’s curveballs is portrayed convincingly. Her decision-making process, moving through the upheavals of life and sorting out her feelings, forms an integral part of the storyline. She expertly navigates the trials and tribulations of her character, creating a vulnerable and relatable portrayal of a woman in love.

Benjamin Bratt, as Ben, also gives a memorable and noteworthy portrayal. His character is a perfect blend of charisma and sensitivity. Bratt’s character brings significant emotion to the storyline, compelling both the audience and the characters within the film to question and reassess their understanding of love, friendship, and parenting.

The Next Best Thing, while a romantic comedy at its core, manages to tactfully address several essential societal issues surrounding non-traditional families, unorthodox relationships, and the intricacies of linked legalities. It’s a film that very seamlessly encapsulates the essence of modernity in terms of redefined parenthood and unconventional bonds.

Complete with fantastic performances, a thoughtful storyline and directed by the accomplished John Schlesinger, The Next Best Thing offers viewers a warm, touching, and at times, bittersweet exploration of love and friendship, of parenthood and partnership, and of heartbreak and healing.