Just perfect...

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The Next Best Thing casts Madonna as a free spirited soul (some stretch of casting there) who has a one night stand with an old friend and soul mate Rupert Everett. But that's not likely to happen too often as Everett is a gay man with whom she confides her innermost.I think Everett's character must have been based on Roddy McDowall who was a confidante to many of the rich and glamorous and unlike that other gay man who did that as well, Truman Capote, McDowall never wrote any tell all memoirs.It rarely happens in real life, but a blessed event came from that mating and Madonna and Everett decide to move in together, not marry, but raise the child as a mother and father with each leading their separate lives. It actually does work for a while.Madonna really gets into the mother role and Everett's a great father figure. But he never forgets his social life with friends and lovers like Neil Patrick Harris and Mark Valley.But then Madonna meets Benjamin Bratt who wants to get married and that puts an end to the arrangements.The Next Best Thing while a sincere effort in its own way of showing the complicated problems that gays and lesbians have with the raising of children, their own children at that, it sadly degenerates into the kind of soap opera that one finds on the Lifetime Channel. It's not a horrible film, just will never be on anyone's ten best list.

I really like this movie... I cried every time I watch it. And how can you do this with your body madonna? I have to start on yoga too. Love when she is on the mirror with. 26 years old... 36 years old... so lovely.I would like to ask you about the magnificent dress she wears , I want the same for me!!!Could someone please tell who's black and white madonna's dress in this movie? I really think is amazing!!!! you know the one she wears when they are in the house where he works because the people who lives in the house is on trip!well, thank you!!!!!

This movie is really not as bad as the rating wants to make you believe. I admit that the beginning is just cheesy and absolutely horrible, riddled with stereotypes and awkward performances. It gets better from the moment on when Madonna confronts Rupert Everett's character (Robert) with his upcoming paternity. The moral implications of a gay man and a straight woman deciding to raise a child together are indeed challenging and very much up-to-date. Here the comedy aspect is overlaid by some sincere issues that make this movie more interesting than the beginning has implied.The movie even turns into a family drama and becomes very emotional. You will love Malcolm Stumpf as Sam, the protagonists' son. He is very convincing and shows substantial natural talent, which adds considerable quality to the story. The final dramatic climax is an ensuing court room struggle for custody of the little boy between Robert and Madonna with her new boyfriend Ben. This causes very strong moral and emotional implications. Robert's desperate struggle and his honest commitment to be together with his beloved son goes straight into your heart and addresses the issue of homosexuals and their rights to raise children. Here again Malcolm Stumpf bears a significant part of the emotional burden, and does so genuinely.This movie is very simple in its equipment, but the messages delivered and the characters portrayed make it worthwhile. Rupert Everett does a great job, and Madonna shows that she can act if she has to. It is a very tough subject, and in the end you will not consider the movie a comedy any longer. This is a good thing.

I know from 'Desperately Seeking Susan', 'Dick Tracy' and 'Evita' that Madonna can act. At first, I felt that something was missing from her performance here. I finally concluded that she has the talent for romantic comedy and for pleasant drama, but at least in this movie, when it comes to unpleasant drama, she hasn't got it.Madonna was so warm and caring as a mother. If this is how she is with her own child, I have confidence the child will probably turn out all right. She also made a convincing yoga teacher. I didn't care that much for the yoga class, except for the one clumsy newcomer.Rupert Everett gave the standout performance here as the gay best friend. I thought his best scene was the one where he asked for Abbie's keys. I liked his taste in music, too. I may be straight, but I'll choose Frank or Judy any time. Also that song that Abbie and Robert were dancing to when they knocked over the furniture. Madonna's own music, on the other hand ... well, actually, I don't dislike her as much as others who perform in the same style.The movie nearly got off track toward the end, but the ending was satisfying and didn't make things too easy for the characters. There was a challenge to overcome that actually added to the movie.This was pretty good. Not great.