‘MOTHER’S DAY’ IS ENSEMBLE COMEDY ABOUT MOTHERHOOD
Another of those ensemble comedies, Mother’s Day is a mostly fun comedy with some heartwarming moments.
Mother’s Day (2016) Film Review
Being a mom is many things, right now for Sandy (Jennifer Aniston) it’s difficult as a recent divorcee struggling with the sharing of custody of her two kids. She shares some of these fears and adjustments with her friend, Jesse (Kate Hudson) who keeps secrets of her own, namely the existence of her whole world which includes her young son and husband. Her sister Gabi (Sarah Chalke) too is keeping secrets and they both find them tumbling out when they receive an unexpected visit from their parents. Then there is Kristin (Britt Robertson) the mom who struggles to accept marriage even though her boyfriend is earnest and kind and good.
Not a mother but trying to fill that void is Bradley (Jason Sudeikis), a widower who is trying to help his daughters adjust as well as dealing with his own grief. Finally, there is popular home shopping host, Miranda (Julia Roberts), a woman quite alone in her success.
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‘MOTHER’S DAY’ IS ENSEMBLE COMEDY ABOUT MOTHERHOOD. #JuliaRoberts and #JenniferAniston lead the cast in this Garry Marshall ensemble comedy. Share on XAnother, and the last, of Garry Marshall’s comedies centering on an important calendar day, Mother’s Day is just as cute as its predecessors. Because the film follows more than one story, the group of characters is interesting and keeps things fun as we skip around to all of these different lives and their respective challenges. Some are heartwarming and others funny, but most of all we like the characters, and the journeys they all take.
What is also fun is seeing so many popular stars share a screen. There’s some good young talent too and even Jack Whitehall pre his The Afterparty turn as well as TV stars Shay Mitchell and Timothy Olyphant. Like any film in this “series” of day movies, things continue to keep moving and the film doesn’t “sit” too long with any one story.
While most of the film leans heavily into being funny and lighthearted, there is a surprise or two with some of the scenes that do warm the heart even if they are a tad sentimental. If ensemble comedies or films from Garry Marshall isn’t something you like, then Mother’s Day won’t suit. If you don’t mind them, then this is another fun title to enjoy especially if you want something mindless and want a film to, ultimately, leave you with a smile. That’s precisely what this film does and it does so very well.
You can stream this 2016 comedy on HBO Max, at publication
Photos: Open Road Films
Content: there’s not a lot to note. There are some make out scenes, and a couple gets tangled up together (clothed) after making up. There is a same sex couple if that bothers you and there is discussion about a couple being racist. There’s also some sexual innuendo and jokes including a float that is meant to be a womb. There is some profanity like sh*t and two uses of the F-word. The film is PG-13.
