I love the start of the movie: Feet and shoes of people in the funeral. We do not know how the mother died. They do not tell and we do not really need. I like movies that does not give excess information. It is also beautifully tangent with race issues without poking our eyes about it. Children's part in the movie was extra beautiful! There is a wonderful scene that starts with the gospel song "This little light of mine" where black and white kids are on the tree and asking each other "Do you taste like chocolate?" and the other asks "Do you taste like vanilla?" and then they lick each other to see. This is not just a cute movie but also simply substantial.

Here's example number 87,358 of Hollywood's anti-Biblical bias, so typical of them.Early on, Ray Liotta's wife has did and women are being interviewed for the position of housekeeper. The first interviewee is an old-fashioned-looking (dress, mannerisms, speech) who immediately lays down here strict rules, stating that "there will be two hours of Bible study ever day."This is said, of course, to make it sound like reading the Bible is the worse punishment you could ever inflict on someone, especially a kid. Once again, the Bible is equated with stuffy, mean-spirited people. That woman, of course, is dismissed immediately.Naturally, the liberal black woman (Whoopi Goldberg - who else?) is the one who is hired and, voilà, saves the day! Yawn.

This is one of the few movies (in my opinion) that 'gets' what she can do...Most of her work is comedic, and her comedy chops are definitely evident, but the connection she makes with this family shows the love of a child and a man (who just happen to be white) during a time when it was (even potentially hazardous if not) unorthodox to have an interracial relationship.I have to admit that I've only seen this movie on cable, and when they show it on (I think TBS) they cut out the "N" word at a time that makes the scene make no sense. But I stop dead in my tracks to watch...The daughter is confronted as a "N" lover. She reailzes that the word means a black person, but she does not realize that the word is a racial slur. As far as she is concerned, she is with the people who love her, and she loves them, in the pure way that it seems only children can love, in return.These omissions are an example to me of how some networks, and more broadly a Black actress(I've heard her say that she doesn't like the term "African American"-"we're ALL Americans" I seem to remember...) is missplaced even in this decade. The Oscar win is not a fluke. Hollywood has yet to face or offer an opportunity that truly shows off her full potential.I feel that her peer is Robin Williams in terms of a comedian that Hollywood still has yet to see their potential.

This is a great family movie, an engaging and heartwarming story the kids can watch, too. How refreshing.The plot revolves around a young widower, Manny, and his little girl, Molly, who has essentially shut down following the recent death of her mother. To bring his daughter 'back to life' so to speak, he hires a spirited but enchanting new housekeeper named...yes, you guessed it... Corrina, portrayed to perfection by Whoopi Goldberg. As you might imagine, not only does Corrina form a touching bond straight away with Molly, but another bond of a different type seems to be developing with her father...The 1950's setting is wonderful. Of course race becomes something of an issue here (white employer, black housekeeper) and that era gives it all the more impact. Corrina's (black, needless to say) family and her relationship to it are well portrayed in the film . Also, Corrina isn't exactly docile, will not be trodden upon, and has no difficulty in speaking her piece to her new employer, a feat which, as you can imagine, Whoopi is more than capable of pulling off.The little actress playing Molly is a jewel. Her character is spirited with a mind of her own as well. Lovable but a bit of a handful in her own right. Her matchmaking attempts are really cute, especially a certain phone conversation she has with Corrina.Wonderful family film. If you don't like this, I can only conclude that neither do you like apple pie, koalas, roses, fireworks etc...