Single motherhood in the United States is not just the experience of poor, uneducated women, or minority teenagers, as often depicted by the media and in the press. The reality is that there are 25 million single mothers heading households in America and they come from all walks of life.

Just Mom and Me interweaves the stories of five mothers, whose circumstances are vastly different, who are raising children on their own. Adi, who lost her beloved husband to cancer was left to rear their seven -year-old bi-racial daughter on her own. Isayana learned the hard way about sex and love. She became pregnant and dropped out of high school. Diana, a lawyer, made the difficult decision to have her baby even though she broke up with her boyfriend. Tracy, who had three young children when she divorced her husband at twenty, had the courage to go to college. Beth, single and worried about her biological clock, opted for a baby through artificial insemination.

Filmed over three years, this is a realistic portrayal of the financial and emotional challenges of single parenting. It gives voice to the children also, who reflect on the realities of not having a father in the home.

"Strongly recommended for public or college libraries." Library Journal
"An insightful moving celebration... Torell's distinct achievement is not only portraying the mothers' struggles and rewards, but also giving the viewer a sense of the unique personalities of the children involved." - San Francisco Examiner
"*** 1/2 "…offers an excellent long-range view of both the challenges and triumphs of single family life…A content rich program widely accessible…Highly recommended." -- Video Librarian

Mill Valley Film Festival, 1998
Taos Talking Pictures Festival, 1998