Mother

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2:22

Mother

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 1996

1h 44m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A writer believes the key to solving his many troubles with the opposite sex can be found by retracing the steps of his youth. Science-fiction scribe John Henderson (Albert Brooks) can't find a solid relationship, so he moves back in with his mother, Beatrice (Debbie Reynolds). John means well, and he seems to genuinely believe that a better understanding of his mom will lead to dating success. But when they begin to bicker, both start rethinking the arrangement.

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Critics Consensus

Albert Brooks' pugnacious insight is in fine form throughout Mother, a gentle showcase for the comedic curmudgeon and a sweetly acidic Debbie Reynolds.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

The film is a loving yet obsessive parody of the generational stereotypes that stand between the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation.

Aug 27, 2024

Full Review

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Reynolds's exquisitely calibrated, mercurially comedic performance reveals the stifled passions that inform a lifetime of rigidly refined habits.

Sep 14, 2020

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David Edelstein

Slate

Brooks' minimalism can be amazingly jampacked, but Mother is perilously slack.

Jun 5, 2020

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Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

There’s nothing groundbreaking about the structure or ideas presented here; however, the film succeeds on the shoulders of Brooks’ charm and charisma.

Rated: 7/10

Oct 1, 2024

Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Like Brooks’ best work, there’s an aura of comfort and familiarity, of warmth amidst the neuroses, with a self-effacing acidity underneath.

Rated: 8.5/10

Mar 25, 2024

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

In some ways, Mother is the most frustrating kind of movie. It has a decent hook, and you can see what Brooks is going for. But it definitely never comes close to earning its way through that premise.

Feb 20, 2024

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Leanne M

One of my favourite movies although he can appear a bit mean to “mother” at times. Some hilarious moments and parts of it are very relatable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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Audience Member

I love this movie I never saw it when it first came out back in the day but just happened upon it and it is a sweet funny gem of a movie Albert Brooks and Debbie Reynolds have wonderful mother-son chemistry.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

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Mason M

Definitely not Brooks's best, but still a fun watch and again proving his talent at writing endings

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Funny and poignant. Recommended for anyone who has or has had a mother. The negative reviewers obviously have mommy issues.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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steve d

I thought it was far nastier than funny.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Thanks to an Apple glitch may be the most expensive film I've ever watched. This film brought back memories of my grandmother who I seldom got to see and died almost 30 years ago. The recurring picture phone joke is great and at least a decade ahead of its time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

John Henderson

Debbie Reynolds

Beatrice Henderson

Rob Morrow

Jeff Henderson

Lisa Kudrow

Linda

John C. McGinley

Carl

Mother: Official Clip - Sweet Tooth

1:37

Mother: Official Clip - Oedipus Complex

2:00

Mother: Official Clip - Does That Look a Little Green to You?

2:03

Mother: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Move Back in With Mother

1:45

Mother: Official Clip - We Know Why She Hates Me

1:54

Mother: Official Clip - A Trip to the Mall

1:59

Mother: Official Clip - Follow Me

1:45

Mother: Official Clip - Shopping

1:40

Mother: Official Clip - That's a Lot of Cheese

1:43

Mother: Official Clip - Mrs. Henderson

1:59

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Mother: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

A writer believes the key to solving his many troubles with the opposite sex can be found by retracing the steps of his youth. Science-fiction scribe John Henderson (Albert Brooks) can't find a solid relationship, so he moves back in with his mother, Beatrice (Debbie Reynolds). John means well, and he seems to genuinely believe that a better understanding of his mom will lead to dating success. But when they begin to bicker, both start rethinking the arrangement.

Director: Albert Brooks
Producer: Herb Nanas, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround

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