Genre: Drama

Director: James Lapine

Cast: Viola Davis, Hayden Panettiere, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Dan Fogler, Jaden Michael, Bryce Lorenzo, and Tony Shalhoub

Studio: Lucky Monkey Pictures
Release: Airs on Lifetime on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/PT

Rating ★★★★★

Lifetime Network dramas aren’t really my cup of tea. I find them to be too similar despite their differing subject matter, and most do nothing outside of trying to elicit tears out of viewers. But I was interested in Custody due to its talented cast. I thought maybe this Lifetime movie would be different and, in spite of a fairly generic-sounding plot, the cast would help elevate it to be something more.

Viola Davis as Judge Martha Schulman

Custody follows single mother Sara Diaz (Catalina Sandino Moreno) through an unexpected custody battle when she is suspected of injuring her kids. Overseeing the case is hardened judge Martha Schulman (Viola Davis), along with Sara’s defense attorney Ally Fisher (Hayden Panettiere), a rookie lawyer eager to prove herself and determined to help Sara get her children back.

A by-the-numbers storyline but, nonetheless, I remained hopeful. Thankfully, the cast does not disappoint. Davis, Moreno, and Panettiere each give strong performances and are easily the highlights of Custody. The three play off each other very well and give the courtroom sequences a bit more punch and heft. Davis is the standout with a commanding presence in each of her scenes. I found her moments to be among my favorites. It’s no surprise Davis recently took home an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Fences.

Hayden Panettiere and Catalina Sandino Moreno star in Custody

Unfortunately for Custody, the performances are all this made-for-TV movie has going for it as the storyline is a cliché-ridden courtroom drama that’s a chore to sit through. Despite the good performances from the three central stars, in the end, they’re overshadowed by poor characterization and a predictable plot that does nothing to change the fact their characters are walking stereotypes. Martha is a tough judge but underneath the cold exterior is a heart of gold. Although a bit naive, Ally is more capable than people think. Sara, on the other hand, is a temperamental single mom who keeps making mistakes. But she truly loves her kids and is willing to do anything for them. The children, David (Jaden Michael) and Tia (Bryce Lorenzo), are barely in the film, making it difficult to care about them; they end up feeling more like props for the story instead of living, breathing people.

That said, there are some brief scenes of genuine emotion—Martha and her husband Jason (Tony Shalhoub) discussing their marital issues, and the scenes between Sara and her children where she tries to cheer them up from their bleak situation. These moments help make Custody feel more human and provide more depth to the characters. Sadly, moments like these are too few and brief, ending as quickly as they began.

The plot of Custody is ultimately the movie’s undoing. As soon as the film begins, it is easy to predict the next plot point and exactly when and how it will happen. This predictability removes most of the tension the film tries to create, making it increasingly tedious the more time passes. There are subplots that pique your interest, such as Martha’s marital problems, Ally dealing with a traumatic experience from her past, and a last minute scenario that deals with the kids’ biological father, all of which help to throw some minor curves in the film’s progression. But these ultimately feel like padding to increase the running time as none of them are given the proper development they deserve. One story arc is dropped entirely with no proper conclusion.

Tony Shalhoub as Jason Schulman

Custody is an emotionally manipulative film that serves no purpose other than trying to get a good cry out of its viewers. There are some good performances on display but these don’t help the snail’s pace and poor writing.

Custody airs Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on Lifetime. Check your local listings.

Website: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/custody
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4575930/?ref_=rvi_tt

All Photos: ©2017 Lucky Monkey Pictures. All Rights Reserved

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