Watch Adopted

Adopted is a 2009 mockumentary-style film that follows a single woman named Pauly Shore, who is trying to adopt a child from Africa. The film is a satirical take on the celebrity adoptions that were starting to gain momentum in the late 2000s. Pauly Shore is the film's main character, playing a fictionalized version of himself. Shore is a former MTV VJ and stand-up comedian who is now past his prime and looking for a new purpose in life. In the film, he becomes fixated on the idea of adopting an African child and decides to document the entire process.

The film begins with Shore traveling to South Africa to meet with potential adoption agencies. He visits several orphanages and meets with local officials who are skeptical of his motives. Despite this, Shore remains optimistic and continues his quest to find a child to adopt.

As the film progresses, Shore's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. He starts to wear traditional African clothing, makes bizarre comments about African culture, and even starts speaking in an exaggerated accent. These actions are played for comedic effect, but they also highlight the problematic nature of some celebrity adoptions.

Eventually, Shore finds a child he wants to adopt named Kimo. Kimo is a young boy who has been orphaned due to AIDS. Shore is thrilled to have found him, but soon realizes that adoption is a complicated and lengthy process. He struggles to navigate the bureaucracy surrounding international adoption and his naivete causes him to make several missteps.

Despite its comedic tone, Adopted touches on some serious issues. The film critiques the celebrity adoption trend that was popular at the time and highlights the cultural insensitivity that often accompanies such adoptions. The film also sheds light on the difficulties of international adoption and the often-overlooked trauma experienced by children who are separated from their birth parents.

The performances in the film are strong, particularly that of Louise Engelbrecht, who plays Shore's adopted mother. Engelbrecht delivers a touching and nuanced portrayal of a woman who loves her son but struggles to understand his questionable actions.

Cindy Gold and Casper Kunzewkwguta also give standout performances as the adoption agents who work with Shore. Gold's character is jaded and world-weary, a sharp contrast to Shore's unbridled enthusiasm. Kunzewkwguta's character is the voice of reason, attempting to guide Shore through the adoption process while also questioning some of his more questionable actions.

Overall, Adopted is an entertaining and thought-provoking film. It uses humor to critique a serious issue and raises important questions about celebrity adoptions and international adoption processes. The film's use of a mockumentary-style format adds to its humor while also giving it a sense of authenticity. It's worth a watch for anyone interested in adoption or the intersection of celebrity and social issues.

Adopted is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.