Baby Steps (2015)
A heartfelt comedy-drama about a gay Taiwanese-American couple navigating international surrogacy — with a very involved mother along for the ride.
Baby Steps - Movie Information
- Original Title: 滿月酒
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: Barney Cheng
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 8, 2015 (Taiwan), August 15, 2017 (United States), August 15, 2017 (Canada)
- Alternative Titles: 滿月酒 (TW)
- Production Companies: Zoom Hunt, School Pictures, Tang Moon
- Production Countries: Taiwan, United States of America
Baby Steps - Plot
Danny, a Taiwanese-American man, and his partner Tate want to have a baby, but the complex world of international surrogacy is further complicated by Danny's well-meaning but extremely meddlesome mother.
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Baby Steps - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Barney Cheng
Main Cast
- Barney Cheng
- Michael Adam Hamilton
- Gua Ah-leh
- Love Fang
- Tzi Ma
- Ellyn Jameson
- Nadege August
- Meera Simhan
- Jason Stuart
- Aalok Mehta
Writers
- Barney Cheng
Baby Steps - FAQs
What is Baby Steps about?
Baby Steps follows Danny, a Taiwanese-American gay man, and his partner Tate as they try to start a family through international surrogacy. The journey gets hilariously complicated when Danny's overbearing but well-meaning mother inserts herself into every step of the process. It's a warm, funny look at modern family-building.
Is Baby Steps based on a true story?
Baby Steps draws heavily from writer-director-star Barney Cheng's own real-life experiences as a gay Taiwanese-American man navigating surrogacy. While the film takes creative liberties for comedic effect, its emotional core and many of its situations are rooted in Cheng's personal journey toward parenthood.
Where can you stream Baby Steps right now?
Baby Steps is available on several platforms. You can watch it for free on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Kanopy, and Hoopla. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Does Baby Steps have a happy ending?
Baby Steps leans into its warm, feel-good spirit throughout, building toward an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Without giving too much away, the film stays true to its comedic-drama tone and delivers a heartfelt resolution that celebrates chosen family, perseverance, and the unconventional paths people take to become parents.
Who are the main actors in Baby Steps?
Barney Cheng leads the cast as Danny, alongside Michael Adam Hamilton as his partner Tate and the acclaimed Gua Ah-leh as Danny's meddlesome mother. Veteran actor Tzi Ma also appears as Mr. Lin, with supporting roles from Ellyn Jameson, Nadege August, Meera Simhan, Jason Stuart, and Aalok Mehta.
Is Baby Steps worth watching for LGBTQ+ audiences?
Absolutely. Baby Steps stands out as a rare film that centers a gay Asian-American relationship with warmth and authenticity. It blends cross-cultural comedy with genuine emotional depth, making it a refreshing watch for LGBTQ+ viewers and anyone who enjoys stories about family, identity, and the messy, beautiful road to parenthood.
Who directed and wrote Baby Steps?
Barney Cheng wrote, directed, and stars in Baby Steps — a true passion project. Cheng drew on his personal experiences as a gay Taiwanese-American to craft the story, and his triple role gives the film a distinctive personal voice. The cinematography was handled by Kenneth Yeung, with music by George Shaw.
What are some movies similar to Baby Steps?
If you enjoyed Baby Steps, you might also like Together Together (2021), Baby Mama (2008), The Object of My Affection (1998), or Almost Love (2019). These films share similar themes of non-traditional family dynamics, surrogacy, and heartfelt comedy-drama storytelling centered on identity and belonging.
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