''Emma's Wish'' is a 1998 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by Mike Robe. It first aired on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

on October 18, 1998 and stars

Joanna Kerns Joanna Kerns is an American actress and director best known for her role as Maggie Seaver on the ABC sitcom ''Growing Pains'' from 1985 to 1992. Early life Kerns was born Joanna Crussie DeVarona in San Francisco, California. Her older sister ...

as an older woman that finds that her wish to be younger has been granted.

Plot

The film begins with a picture-perfect day at the boardwalk for a family of four, mother Emma, father Harry, son Danny and daughter Joy. Young Danny wins a prize at the shooting gallery and selects a 'wish ring' to give to his mother. He says to make a wish since it is her birthday, but she tells him she has everything she wants and will use the wish another day. Fast-forward 35 years later, and Emma is 75 years old and in a nursing home. Her husband is long gone to divorce, her son is dead, and her daughter cannot make it to Emma's birthday party. Joy has a busy life with two young children, a new business, and a husband she is starting to divorce. Emma reluctantly accepts that her family will not be able to join her for her celebration and completes getting dressed up. Being unable to find the necklace she was looking for, she finds the ring her son had given her that long ago day at the carnival. She wears it when she makes a wish and blows out the candles on her cake. In the morning she finds her wish has come true in an unusual way: she had wanted to be able to go to and be with her family to help in their difficult time and she is now 40 years younger, able to go out to them even if they don't come to her. With no time to lose (the wish lasts only for a full month) she buys new clothes and a car, and obtains work at her daughter's house as the new housekeeper/nanny (named Mame). During her time with Joy, Danny and Iris, she learns things about her daughter she didn't know before, makes her peace with her dying ex-husband, and comes to regard her son-in-law Brian as someone who should remain in her daughter and grandchildren's life. She helps more than she thought she could, doesn't accomplish as much as she set out to, and in the end comes to a new understanding with her family that will last to the end of her days.

Cast

- Emma Bridges/Mame *

Della Reese Della Reese (born Delloreese Patricia Early; July 6, 1931 – November 19, 2017) was an American singer, actress, television personality, author and ordained minister. As a singer, she recorded blues, gospel, jazz and pop. Several of her singl ...

- Mona Washburn, Emma's friend and roommate in the nursing home *

Harley Jane Kozak Harley Jane Kozak (born January 28, 1957) is an American actress and author. She made her film debut in the slasher film '' The House on Sorority Row'' (1982), and had a recurring role as Mary Duvall on the soap opera '' Santa Barbara'' between ...

- (adult) Joy Bridges Bookman *Ashley Edner - (young) Joy Bridges *

William R. Moses William Remington Moses (born November 17, 1959) is an American actor. Early life Moses was born in Los Angeles, the son of actress Marian McCargo (1932–2004) and advertising executive Richard Cantrell Moses Sr., who married in 1951 and divorc ...

- Brian Bookman *

Courtland Mead Courtland Mead is an American former actor, noted for his performances as a child actor during the 1990s. Career Mead began acting at the age of 2, playing minor characters. His first noted achievement was when he played the part of young John ...

- Danny Bookman *Jeanne Allen - Iris Bookman *

Seymour Cassel Seymour Joseph Cassel (January 22, 1935 – April 7, 2019) was an American actor who appeared in over 200 films and television shows, with a career spanning over 50 years. He first came to prominence in the 1960s in the pioneering independent f ...

- (old) Harry Bridges *Jon Bruno - (young) Harry Bridges * Colton James - Danny Bridges *

Stephanie Niznik Stephanie Lynne Niznik (May 20, 1967 – June 23, 2019) was an American film, television, and theatre actress, most famous for her role as Nina Feeney on '' Everwood''. Early life and career Niznik grew up in Brewer, Maine, and was co-valedicto ...

- Kelly Horner, nursing home director *Dennis Cockrum - Det. William Steele

Reception

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' gave ''Emma's Wish'' a mixed review, commenting that "If Hallmark Hall of Fame ever decided it had to do a knockoff of " Mrs. Doubtfire," it would look an awful lot like this heartwarming but cloying fantasy telepic.". ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' panned the film, commenting that while they enjoyed Kern's acting "the story is so simpleminded that it remains a mere trifle".

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 0162947 1998 television films 1998 films 1990s fantasy comedy films American fantasy comedy films CBS films Films directed by Mike Robe 1990s English-language films 1990s American films English-language fantasy comedy films