‘Because I Said So’: Mother-Daughter Portrait In a Happy Comedy

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Looking back on this 2007 comedy that is Because I Said So, I am not sure of the reasons why my mother and I finally saw this, but we still enjoy a re-watch here and there.

Because I Said So (2007) Film Review

The youngest of three girls, Milly Wilder (Mandy Moore) has the disadvantage of being the daughter whose life her busy-body mother meddles most in. What doesn’t helps is Milly’s lack of a prospective mate. This inspires her mother, Daphne (Diane Keaton) to set up daters where she screens potential mates – all without her daughter knowing.

Believing she finds the ideal man, she arranges an “accidental” meet-cute for the two, unaware that someone, very unsuitable by Daphne’s standards, is already hard at work winning Milly’s heart.

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because I said so
‘Because I Said So’: Mother-Daughter Portrait In a Happy Comedy. Diane Keaton and #MandyMoore co-star in this 2007 comedy! Click To Tweet

Imperfect though this is, there’s something kind of charming about this affect. It’s this “messy” image of family that we relate to, or at least some of the time we can because let’s be real, we’ve all been here. As any parent is sure to tell us, parenting is hard, but the sweet story of a parent’s love this presents makes the messy worth it. This is the gist of this film. Regardless of the content it hides beneath its better messages.

This features a pretty knock-out all-star cast. Yes, there is Mandy Moore and Diane Keaton, but you’ll also see Piper Perabo, Lauren Graham, and Gabriel Macht. Everyone is good, and I like that though there is strife (read drama), most of the film seems to focus on good parts of life that is the “it’s complicated” status of families. The actors have some great scenes together (this to say nothing of a certain cute meet-cute), and they all have good chemistry, which ties in nicely with the familial themes. It’s always fun to see Lauren Graham in something, and Mandy Moore, as usual, turns in a solid performance. Plus, for those of us who love a good TV show, you’ll recognize Piper from Covert Affairs and Gabriel from Suits.

The one thing that does grow wearisome is Milly’s wishy-washy propensity. Much as I like her character, she’s too ambivalent and let’s too much “happen” to her before she stands on her own two feet. Other than this, there’s lots of good fun in this comedy that is like a brief snapshot portrait of the relationship between a mother and daughter. If you enjoy a funny albeit at times silly comedy, Because I Said So entertains.

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‘Because I Said So’: Mother-Daughter Portrait In a Happy Comedy. Film review of the 2007 comedy with Mandy Moore & Diane Keaton. Text © Rissi JC

Content: There’s plenty of sexual content and innuendo (including specific references) and a scene between a couple on their wedding day. Another woman sleeps with two different men. There’s profanity and some other thematic elements. The film is PG-13.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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