WFG RATING: A-

Brainstorm Media presents a Verdi Films Production. Written and directed by Heather Graham. Produced by Chad A. Verdi, Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Heather Graham, Paul Luba, Anthony Gudas, and Michael A. Nickels. 

Stars Heather Graham, Josh Brotherton, Thomas Lennon, Andrea Savage, Michael Gross, Julie Halston, Odessa Rae, Ella Grace Helton, and Julia Stiles.

After her 2018 feature film directorial debut, Heather Graham’s sophomore effort as director is quite fun and witty thanks to her chemistry with the supporting cast.

Anne is a yoga teacher who always tends to have a tough time when it comes to her family. She is always relegated to making her parents happy and if that’s not bad enough, dealing with her sister who is recovering from drug addiction. She also has had the worst luck when it comes to relationships. However, things change when her best friend Max introduces her to a soon to be divorcee, Steve, Ann may have finally found the one but it’s not an easy road. 

Anne and Steve get closer and it gets to where she slowly bonds with Steve’s young daughter until she learns of their relationship. As she attempts to get through to Lilly, she finds herself constantly trying to appease her family as well, being forced into situations she is totally uncomfortable with. As Lilly begins to make things worse, Ann must finally muster up the courage to stand up for herself and she may end up either losing it all or living a better life. 

This film is quite a surprising look at one woman’s attempt to finally become her own person after dealing with so much in her life, notably her family and track record of failed relationships. Heather Graham does a great job both in front and behind the cameras. From the beginning of the film, you can’t help but feel for Anne. She has so much to deal with and you only wish the best for her. They said nothing is better than family, but even family can be completely exhausting. 

It is clear because we see Anne having to deal with her overzealous father, played by Michael Gross; and her overdreaming mother, played by Julie Halston. It is as if her parents do not want to do anything to take care of their other daughter Clio, played by Julia Stiles, and force Anne to do their “work”. Anne has enough problems on her own but we see a glimmer of hope when she meets Steve, played by Fuller House’s Josh Brotherton. 

The chemistry between Graham and Brotherton seems to be the heart of the film as it is revealed they have more in common than they think. We see Anne forced into a situation with work that leads to a sign of success for her. However, she then finds herself struggling with her relationship with both Steve and her family. The situations will make you want to root for Anne to finally stand up for herself as she has a support system, and it’s not what you’d expect. 

Chosen Family is a witty dramedy that brings out the best in Heather Graham showing what she can do both in front and behind the camera. A “never too late” coming of age tale of a woman who must overcome both herself and her family to become her own person.