Ihave a weakness for romantic comedies from the ’80s, and Baby Boom with Diane Keaton is one I’ve watched a hundred times. It was written by Nancy Meyers, who is behind more good house-movies than you can shake a stick at, including The Parent Trap, Father of the Bride, Something’s Gotta Give, and The Holiday. When she works on a movie, you know the scenery is going to be good!
In “Baby Boom,” Keaton plays J.C. Wiatt–aka the “Tiger Lady” who is so driven and ambitious at work that she has never really made time for a personal life. Then a distant relative dies and leaves her young daughter Elizabeth in J.C.’s not-so-maternal hands.
J.C. has never wanted to be a mother and has no plans to keep Elizabeth, but finds herself bonding with the girl despite herself. Motherhood doesn’t mesh with high-powered corporate life, however, so J.C. flees the rat-race of New York City and buys a charming old house in the small town of Hadleyville, Vermont.
In the beginning, J.C. lives in this sleek, gray, contemporary apartment in NYC that reflects who she is as a high-powered businesswoman:
Bringing baby Elizabeth home to a house filled with leather, glass, and chrome:
Learning how to change a diaper (her boyfriend, played by Harold Ramis, breaks up with her as soon as he realizes J.C. plans to keep the baby):
When J.C. can no longer keep up with her high-powered business career, she quits her job and takes Elizabeth to live in the tiny town of Hadleyville, Vermont:
J.C. has bought this charming yellow farmhouse from the classified ads, sight unseen:
J.C. spends the long winter inside the farmhouse making applesauce from all the apples she gathered in her orchard. She later begins selling it as “Country Baby” baby food, and it’s a big hit with yuppie parents:
There are some problems with the roof that become apparent during a snowstorm:
One of my favorite scenes is when J.C. is told that her well has gone dry. She says, “Well, can you just pull the hose around from the front of the house and fill it up again?”
The plumber explains that no, she’ll have to tap into the county water line, which is several miles down the road, and that’s going to be kind of expensive. J.C. has a meltdown–the house has had one problem after another and she’s broke.
She wakes up in Dr. Sexy’s Cooper’s office (Sam Shepard), and she pours her heart out to him–including how lonely she is and how she really needs a man. He lets her cry on his shoulder. Then a horse walks in and Dr. Cooper says, “My next patient is here.”
She eventually gets over her humiliation of their first meeting and they fall in love.
J.C.’s bedroom:
The living room–and final scene of the movie:
Yes, the movie is sappy and sentimental, but it gets me every time. I think the sets have held up pretty well considering they were designed in 1987. All these years later, I still love that yellow house.
There was a TV sitcom based on “Baby Boom” (same name) that lasted only one season in 1988. Does anyone remember it? According to the IMDb website, Kate Jackson played J.C. Wiatt and Joy Behar played Helga the nanny. I’d love to see that!
If You’re Hooked on Houses from Movies:
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I adore Diane Keaton and because I love and adore houses too, I did a blog about my favorite charater in Something’s gotta Give. She is the best and your site is lovely.
Big hugs!
Claudia
http://www.dipityroad.com/movies/somethings-gotta-give
I missed this movie…netflix is my next stop. Love the yellow house and Diane Keaton! thanks!
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I cannot believe you posted about this movie. I love “Baby Boom” – I thought I was the only one! And yes, the setting and the house are like additional characters in the movie. I grew up not far from where this movie was filmed and everytime I watch it, I get homesick. I love the way J.C. adapts to life in Vermont. The scene where she is in the country store trying to sell her babyfood to the “city people” is spot on perfect! Having grown up there, we call them “flatlanders…” ha ha! Thanks so much for posting this.
I loved that movie! I appreciate it on a totally different level now. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh my gosh! I have seen this movie so many times – never get tired of it. I think I want to BE Diane Keaton and the country house is to die for ( crummy roof and dry well are simply part of …..vintage charm!?)
Loved that film, and I think it played a big part in wanting to visit Vermont – we did (before kids) in 1994, and stayed in some beautiful bed and breakfasts that were similar to this.
I love that movie and the house! I’ve always remembered it too. Thanks for posting! It was a treat to see it all again.
I SO enjoy your posts and Movie Mondays! I always loved this movie – can anyone throw a hissy fit better than Diane Keaton? I think not! She’s hilarious and the sets were so beautiful!
I love that yellow house! Of course, yellow houses are a particular weakness of mine. I loved the yellow house I had in Portland (which looks a bit like the Baby Boom house) so much I wrote a book about it. Thanks for reminding me of another adorable yellow house.
I LOVED that movie so much! I had it on video tape and watched it all the time. I always loved the yellow house, too! Thanks so much for the trip down Memory Lane.
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I haven’t seen this movie, but I love the Vermont house–especially the exterior and those wonderful kitchen appliances! Ah!
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Ahhh, I love this movie!! How fun to post this! Thanks! Movie Mondays are the best.
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I love this movie and I would love to have that farm house.
I remember the tv series and did watch it. Here is a link that talks about it…
http://www.kate-jackson.com/babyboom.htm
LOVED this movie. Isn’t Sam Shepard dreamy…Ha! He’s like the first Dr. McDreamy!
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I have always loved that house. It looks so welcoming.
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I remember loving this house when I saw this movie the first time. It has such a romantic feel–until the well problems of course! The beach cottage is great too. Ilove the combination of colors and that it did notlose its original charm!!
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I love Baby Boom! I may just have to buy a copy of it today.
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Loved this movie!
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Thanks for share!!! Mondays are the best, this movie I always see it for the sets-
Has anybody see the house at the begining of “Disclosure”, the movie with Demi Moore and Michael Douglas.
Can you post it, Julia?
Thanks
Catherine–
I haven’t seen “Disclosure” yet, but I’ll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion! -Julia
I love this movie. I always love the fact that she makes her own baby food and the whole marketing thing. It seemed like it was a front runner to the organic movement.
Thanks for sharing!
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I can’t believe I never saw this one! I’ll have to check it out! I think the decor held up pretty well, too.
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I love this movie! It’s one of my favorites. Great movie pick for this series. I love her country home, the little village she lives in and all that designer baby food! Love!
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I loved watching this movie, I think it’s time to see it again. Thanks for posting it Julia.
I like the movie Baby Boom; I hate to say that I’ve seen it recently twice! And I love the kitchen in that house. Just so cozy. -susan
Sappy, Sentimental and Totally Delicious!! I’ve seen this movie countless times! I love the country house!
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Gosh I havent seen that movie since it was on the New Releases wall! What a cute house…and you’re right–quite timeless!
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I LOVE this movie! I watch it every time it comes on TV. And I’d pick the country house over the city house any day. And I agree with you – Diane Keaton movies involve great sets! Thanks for featuring this movie. Now I can’t wait to see it again. ~Arleen
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I love that movie, great post! Just out of curiosity, have you ever done a post about the house from You, Me and Dupree? The movie is a goofy one but whenever it comes on, I can just sit and watch for a while to get a glimpse of the adorable house.
~Michelle
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One of my all time favorites . . I have watched this movie so many times – never tire of it. Diane Keaton – don’t know what it is about her – maybe her style? But I love most of her movies. And Vermont – what’s not to love about Vermont:)
Also check Diane out in: Crimes of the Heart (neat old house), The Lemon Sisters and Running Mates (with the delicious Ed Harris!)
As always, thanks for the extra effort on the pictures Janet:))
Oooh I love this movie, it gets me every time too. It “got” me before I was a Mom, I can’t imagine how it would now. I love the scenes of her scooping up the applesauce into the jars…always seemed so cozy.
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I loved that movie too! Fun post:-)
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If only living in Vermont were so romantic! (from one who does right now.)
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I loved that movie!
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Every time I watch this movie I end up searching the mls in Vermont.
i saw this movie as a young girl and swore that i would live in vermont in a yellow house. hasn’t happened yet.
I called Julia, JANET (again!) – what’s up with that?? My sincere apologies:)
This is one of my favorite movies! I usually like anything Diane Keaton is in. I remember seeing this movie and wanting to live in the country, in this house – minus all the things that went wrong with it!
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I have Baby Boom on VHS and DVD. I know every word from the first scene on by heart.
I love the house too.
Also,just some more movie house suggestions… You, Me and Dupree; What Lies Beneath; Australia; The Godfather Part 1; Fatal Attraction; Funny Farm.
Have seen this movie countless times-LOVE IT. The scout who found this property was spot on for a Vermont farm house. I really like the interior shots of the kitchen (but was that on a soundstage?)
I was in this film and its not to be missed. Diane is priceless, as a woman, and mother.
I love love LOVE Baby Boom! It’s so awesome you picked it to write about. This movie is so great & it’s not just because of the Carly Simon song. LOL! Great post & I love both of your blogs!
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I love this movie. The baby looks exactly like my oldest girl, who will turn 40 this year. Awwwwwww……… I love the house too!
I love the movie! It’s one of my favorites! And it still gets to me every time I see it.
And I am a huge fan of that country house too. I could live in there happily-ever-after (minus the huge expenses).
You’re right … it still holds up today.
I’m so glad you did this one. I’ve always loved the country kitchen with its big fireplace. How do you get these screenshots? My computer won’t let me take screen shots of dvds.
THANK YOU for posting this…
I am watching Baby Boom now (found it on cable, I too have seen it over 100 times).
I moved to Vermont in ’98 and seeing this film was a major reason for my moving there. We now live in Chapel Hill and we still own our home in VT. It will always hold a very, very special place in my heart and and hope to return one day in retirement to split time between NC and VT.
…will always consider VT home
I love this movie…
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