Foster

Synopsis: Zooey and Alec Morrison are a married couple who are struggling to bridge the painful gap that is developing between them. Unable to conceive, the Morrisons await confirmation of a child to foster. One day, a seven years old boy who calls himself Eli appears on their doorstep quite mysteriously, explaining the foster agency has sent him. The boy is old beyond his years and it becomes apparent that he is the listening ear amongst the couple's marriage breakdown. Eli offers moral support and idealistic suggestions to his foster parents on how to repair and re-kindle their love for each other. The couple begin to rebuild their foundations at home, at work and emotionally until they find the love they once had for each other. But all may not be as it seems...
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Director(s): Jonathan Newman
Production: Screen Media Films
  1 win.
 
IMDB:
6.9
PG
Year:
2011
90 min
Website
416 Views


It's good news. There's nothing

wrong with either of you.

There's no reason, from a medical

standpoint, why you can't have children.

Really?

Are you positive?

Well, there could always be something

that we haven't spotted,

but then again, it could also be

psychosomatic.

Often when one has

experienced trauma,

one can't underestimate the impact

the mind has on the human body.

What about, um, IVF, doctor?

Well, that's an option,

if you wanted to go down that route.

It can be quite expensive.

How expensive?

Uh, try a few thousand.

And that's per treatment cycle.

Crikey, the cost of eggs today!

Imagine if you went organic.

You know there are other ways. There

are plenty of children that need a home.

What, you mean adoption?

Adoption, fostering.

I'm just gonna fly to Africa.

Hey, seems to be the thing

to do these days.

Oh, babes. Come here.

It'll be alright, I promise.

Hey, I've got a better idea for now.

Hmm?

Got any ice-cream?

Oh, aye. Now you're

speaking my language.

I can't believe how much

Audrey's grown.

Oh, that was delicious.

Thank you so much, Zooey.

Not at all. A pleasure.

It's just lovely to see you guys.

It's been ages.

Mwah! I'll speak to you tomorrow.

Have a great night.

Goodnight, Alec.

See you soon.

What a precious little girl.

So I've been thinking about it.

I think we should go through with it.

With What?

You want to foster?

Sarah and I were talking about it earlier.

Ah, another crazy idea from Sarah.

No, just hear me out.

There are thousands of kids

who need a home.

And then there are people like us

who have nothing but love to give.

I don't know.

What's not to know?

Just having a child that's not mine.

Sorry, that came out wrong.

Zooey.

This is my bed.

It's not very comfortable,

but it'll do for now.

To reduce the risk of tooth decay

and cavities,

it's important to brush 2-3 times a day,

especially after eating.

Every man should have one nice outfit.

Not everyone knows how to

tie one of these properly.

It all comes with experience, really.

It's important when trying

to look one's best

to wear a blazer that

complements one's shirt.

For instance, a stripey blazer

wouldn't look good with a stripey shirt.

Best to stick to solid colours.

Breakfast is generally considered one of

the most important meals of the day.

This cereal is packed with

essential vitamins and minerals

and has added calcium for healthy

development of bones and teeth.

Given my age, this is really

the best I can do.

But the important thing is

to try as hard as one can.

The other kids come and go.

I'm really waiting for the right time

and the right ones.

You have reached

your destination.

What should I know

that's not on your form?

We love children.

Who doesn't?

Do you have any children of your own?

I ask just because on your form,

you left that question blank.

Well, the truth is...

The truth is, um...

...I've been unable to conceive

since, um...

Yes?

...since the accident.

The doctors think it's psychosomatic.

I see.

I'm sorry.

Our children are... special.

And as such, we go to extreme lengths

to ensure that they go to special homes.

There's a process.

I'm sure you understand.

And these things can take some time.

But what's meant to be will be.

The day's quite structured.

We run a tight ship.

This is the play area.

We have children from

all backgrounds, all ages.

Some we've had since

they were babies

unwanted at birth, for whatever reason.

We're the closest thing

they have to family.

On your form, it said you own

a toy manufacturing company.

Is that right, Mr Morrison?

Yes, that's right.

How terribly exciting that must be!

It is! No, it's great.

We've been hit a little bit

by the recession, but who hasn't?

Oh, quite right. Quite right.

What's your favourite toy?

Oh, that's an easy one.

Hands down, LEGO,

because of the infinite possibilities.

You know, you could make

a house or a plane or a ship.

You name it!

How about you, Mrs Morrison?

Excuse me?

A bookstore, right?

Children's books, aye.

My mum helps me run it.

I see!

Marvellous!

Right! We'll be in touch.

Thank you.

See? That wasn't so bad now, was it?

No, it wasn't so bad.

"And there they will stay,

they're out of my way."

"They'll never come back,

not even to play."

"The bedbugs I've seen,

they're out of my sight."

"And now I can sleep.

Goodnight, and sleep tight."

Ah, that was beautiful.

Who wrote it?

Oh, well, you can tell her yourself.

As well as the owner

of this beautiful store,

my lovely daughter also wrote that story.

My mother and my manager.

God, I'm so embarrassed.

You should write more. You've done

nothing for the past two years.

Aye, really?

I'm loving this stow time.

It's great for your business!

Look at all the children!

If they didn't come for the stories,

they'd definitely come for the outfit.

You look like Mary Poppins.

Well, I have to get into character,

you know, for the children.

Thank you. Have a good night.

Hello, Zooey.

You know who I am, right?

Aren't you...?

Eli. Mrs Lange sent me.

Um...

Uh...

She did? But, um...

I really... I mean, nobody called or...

They fast-tracked your application.

You clearly must have

made an impression.

Nice house, but where

shall I put my stuff?

How did you get here?

Black taxi. The traffic was appalling.

But their knowledge of back streets

is second to none.

Do you have anything to drink,

by any chance? I'm parched.

Oh, um...

Do you want some juice?

I couldn't trouble you for

a cup of tea, could I?

Aren't you a little young for tea?

Yes, OK. Fine.

Milk?

Do you have CNN?

Excuse me?

CNN, the news channel.

Ah, I think so.

Do you mind if we watch it?

I guess not.

I used to watch

the World News channel,

but I found the reportage

a little left-wing, you know?

Uh-huh.

Hello?

Hi, it's me. Can you talk right now?

Yeah, sure, go on. What's up?

Remember that little boy

from the foster home...

the cute little funny one

in the suit and hat?

Not sure that I do, but go on.

Well, he's here.

What do you mean, He's here?

He's here in our living room.

What's he doing there?

He's watching CNN

and sipping on a cup of milk.

No, no. I mean... what?

I don't get it.

Alec, I think you need to come home.

Shh.

His name's Eli.

What's he doing?

Taking a nap. He said he was tired.

It's a bit odd, isn't it?

I mean, he just shows up on

our doorstep, no call, no warning.

Mrs Lange said there was a process.

What should we do?

Well, you've called the agency, right?

I left a message for Mrs Lange,

but she hasn't called me back yet.

So, Alec, I understand

you own a toy company.

Is that right?

Yes, that's right, Eli.

How's business these days?

So-so. Could be better.

Been hit by the recession? The economy

has taken a bit of a tumble.

How old did you say you were?

Seven.

How do you know about the recession?

Doesn't everyone?

I mean, it's only in the news

every second of the day.

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Jonathan Newman

Jonathan Newman is a British filmmaker and writer. Newman made his first feature film at the age of 25. Being Considered starred James Dreyfus and David Tennant. His recent movies include the action adventure film Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box, starring Sam Neill, Michael Sheen, Lena Headey and Keeley Hawes, with the lead of Mariah Mundi played by Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard. Retitled The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box, the film was released theatrically in USA on 10 January 2014. In 2012 Newman wrote and directed the critically acclaimed film Foster, starring Toni Collette, Ioan Gruffudd, Richard E. Grant, Anne Reid and Hayley Mills, as well as Swinging with the Finkels, which stars Martin Freeman, singer/actress Mandy Moore, Melissa George, Jonathan Silverman, Angus Deayton and Jerry Stiller. Foster, aka "Angel in the House' (US Title) won Best Feature film at the Rhode Island Film Festival 2013 as voted for by the youth jury. In 2008 and 2013, Newman was longlisted for The Hospital Club 100 media hotlist. Newman is credited as an assistant author of The Guerilla Film Makers Movie Blueprint. more…

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