Mother

Mother, a 1996 film by Albert Brooks, who also stars in this film, is another winner by him. This comedic and dramatic tale about a son moving back in with his mother is a wonderful film from start to finish. It also shows that there are still some great filmmakers in the good old USA. Brooks directed and co-wrote the script with Monica McGowan Johnson(may she rest in peace).The whole things starts with John Henderson(Brooks), a successful science fiction writer, who is going through his second divorce. He decides to move back in with his mother Beatrice(Debbie Reynolds)and decides to re-occupy the same room that he had when he was a child. John does this in hopes that by repairing the somewhat broken relationship that he had with his mother, he can also have better success with women. Soon, as John is settled in, he starts to make himself at home and helps his mother out whenever she needs it. The only problem is that it is causing some strains in her own personal life, especially where her relationships with other men are concerned. Plus, John can't seem to understand that his mother has since changed her lifestyle around starting from when he initially moved out. Also, he is soon in competition with his brother Jeff(Rob Morrow)for mother's affections as Beatrice is now reliving those days when both of these sons of hers were living in the house when they were still real young. Later on, while doing some checking around, John finds some old writings of hers that she did many years ago and reads them and thinks that they are really great. John soon discovers that this is why he feels that his mother hates him, though he does later learn that he is wrong in this assumption. Of course, his mother doesn't like him going through her personal things and such, but she doesn't really seem too mad about it with him. As usual, I won't give too much away as I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen this wonderful film as of yet.Mother became Brooks' highest grossing film to date. It made 19.1 million dollars at the box office. Like many of Brooks' previous films, it was also well received by critics. This is Brooks' best film to date. Brooks again really works wonders in front of and behind the camera. Mother is funny, poignant, bittersweet and has a lot of heart and soul. The film is very enjoyable and entertaining from start to finish. Mother is a rare film treat that can be enjoyed again and again without it ever getting dull or too boring. The chemistry between Brooks and Reynolds is really overwhelming and it works on all levels. They do make a wonderful team together as mother and son and that chemistry is what keeps the film alive and kicking.Originally, Albert Brooks wanted former US First Lady Nancy Reagan to portray the title character and she was contemplating coming out of retirement to portray the title character, but later had to back out as a result of her husband, former USA President Ronald Reagan, being sick and suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Brooks also offered the role to Kathryn Grayson, but she turned it down thinking that the title character was, in her humble opinion, brain dead. Doris Day was also offered the title role, but she also turned it down. Nancy Reagen recommended her close friend Debbie Reynolds for the role and after Brooks talked with Reynolds' daughter Carrie Fisher, Carrie brought the script to her mother and she agreed to play the role. Debbie Reynolds was nominated for a Golden Globe award for "Best Performance by an actress in a Motion Picture Comedy/Musical" but won a Golden Satellite Award for the same category. Mother did win awards for it's script, which were the NFSC and NYFCC Awards respectively.I watched this film with my mother on Mother's Day 2012 and my mother enjoyed the film very much as much as I did. I advise all of you kids out there to watch this film with your mother any time that you wish. I hope that you and your mother enjoy this film as much as my mother and I did.Update: My mother died on September 21st, 2012 of cancer. May she always rest in peace. Whenever I decide to watch this film again, it will bring back the wonderful memory we had of her enjoying this movie.Overall, Mother is Brooks' best film to date and a film that still remains as wonderful no matter how many times that it is watched. It is also a very entertaining film by the one and only Albert Brooks. If you are a fan of Brooks' films like I am, this film should be in your DVD library. It is enjoyable from start to finish and never gets dull.

This is a nice comedy about a man finding himself after divorce and understand his relationship with his mother.

I miss Debbie Reynolds!

Loved the movie. It's funny and heartwarming. And a bit inspiration at the end...

While the professional critics were all over the place on this, I think it’s one of Brook’s strongest films, along with ‘Lost in America’. Very, very funny in an understated, unforced way, it examines the dynamics of parent/child relationships with surprising depth and even-handedness. Rather than making the obvious, familiar film about ‘my mother the shrew’, Brooks is honest enough to see there are two sides to every relationship, romantic or parental. And with two sons in the family, that's really three sides.Debbie Reynolds is indeed the revelation she was acclaimed to be on the film's release. Wonderfully fun to watch, Reynolds is simultaneously adorable and harsh, funny and sad, sweet and cutting to her son, who is well played by Brooks -- a guy who can’t quite seem to get his life together, and wants to blame it all on her.The strength of the writing is that the film recognizes that some of Brook’s character’s neurosis IS his mother’s fault, but certainly not all of it, nor was it possible for her (or anyone) to be a perfect parent and leave no scars. And in the end – at least to a point – its up to the kid to grow up and move past it.(mild spoiler ahead)The film got a lot of flack for it’s supposedly overly easy ‘revelation and solution’ that solves the pair’s problems. But I took that moment as far more satirical than that. Just because Brooks’ character would like to believe one piece of insight into his past makes everything all better, I don’t feel like the film itself (or even Reynold’s character) believes that for a second. Brooks’ child-man is still thinking like a kid, still looking for an easy one sentence solution as to why his life is a mess. While there may be some placebo effect to the ‘now I understand it all’ idea, I never felt we’re meant to think this knotted up mess of a guy would now never have another anxiety attack.

Love the movie titled "Mother" starring Albert Brooks. Hate the movie titled "Mother" starring Jennifer Lawrence. Found this out by continuously trying to watch the albert Brooks movie as advertised with his and Debbie Reynolds photo only to continuously get the stupid movie starring Jennifer Lawrence.

this is the third time, we have watched this movie. debbie reynolds knows her part. they are both, so funny. she has the same problems a lot of people had, from the depression era. you buy the cheapest brand of food, no matter what and she loves her sweet tooth ice cream with icicles and freezer burn. her oldest son has a problem and comes home to live with her to figure things out.

If you have a mother, then you know what it's like to be annoyed by certain quirks and habits she has that may be very different than how YOU would do things. You also may forget that she was once a young woman with talents, goals and aspirations before you came along. This portion of the story line is slowly revealed as Brooks' character struggles to discern how his relationship with his mother has affected his relationship with the other women in his life. The turning point in his revelation is not quite what one would expect. It's a somewhat non-stereotypical epiphany. This film is not about mom bashing and how she f#*ked him up. Brooks and Reynolds interaction as they discuss her choice of cheese and ice cream, vs. his choice of jam and non-frozen salad (!) is hilariously underplayed. This film has no big emotional tug or tear-jerker moments. It's a light comedy whose subtle explorations of parent/child dynamics that can reveal a bit of our own parental relationship and pre-conceptions.

Bought it for my Wife, she liked the movie.

This one starts slow and is a little confusing when you first watch it. By the end, your heart is warmed and you feel really good. Lots of good laughs. It's even better the second and third times you watch it.

A very underappreciated film from the 90s. Albert Brooks seems to know my own mother and her quirks.

After watching this film on tv a few years ago i found i could get it on dvd so purchased it. I found it to be a gently amusing story about a sons relationship with his mother. I recommend this film if you are looking for a nice gentle film.

Came faster than expected. I love this movie