EXPECTING MIRACLES

The flip side of the Infertility Blues--as Nelly Diamond, 35-year-old, divorced TV newscaster, stalks motherhood. . . via a battery of GYN tests (the ""infertility workup""), pre-adoptive investigations, tentative step-mothering, a mild fling at kidnapping, and a thoughtful run-through of possible fathers. Among the contenders for paternity: Clark, who has impressive sexual enthusiasm but is in and out of a mental-ward; rough-cut Texas artist Tyler; and lawyer Brian, who has already proven his potency with three kids. With drop-ins to the shrink and Nelly's parents yearning for a grandchild (Nell's sister is a lesbian washout), Nelly begins the long haul, refusing to accept probable infertility. She tries adoption, but a dreadful and capricious interviewer snatches her chances away. There's a hope of taking over Brian's kids (he's about to divorce), but it soon fades. And then fertile friend Abby lets Nelly babysit her new baby--but Nelly gets carried away. . . to the point of temporary kidnap. Finally, however, there's a great night with an irresistible father of nine from Albuquerque--and bingo! Certain medical exotica and some bright cracking-wise help the strained central joke along here--so it's fair enough fun for female free spirits.