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Mother

Play trailer 2:22 Poster for Mother PG-13 Released Dec 25, 1996 1h 44m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Mother

Mother

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 New Yorker Reynolds's exquisitely calibrated, mercurially comedic performance reveals the stifled passions that inform a lifetime of rigidly refined habits. Sep 14, 2020 Full Review David Edelstein Slate Brooks' minimalism can be amazingly jampacked, but Mother is perilously slack. Jun 5, 2020 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Audience Member One of my favorite movies. Brilliantly captures, in dramatic and comedic dialogue, the sophisticated dynamics between mother and sons. I purchased four copies of the movie to lend to friends. Albert Brooks is genius in writing, acting and directing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Admittedly sitcom-ish, but the dry wit is appealing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mother

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Cast & Crew

Mother

Mother: Official Clip - Sweet Tooth Mother: Official Clip - Sweet Tooth 1:37 Mother: Official Clip - Oedipus Complex Mother: Official Clip - Oedipus Complex 2:00 Mother: Official Clip - Does That Look a Little Green to You? Mother: Official Clip - Does That Look a Little Green to You? 2:03 Mother: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Move Back in With Mother Mother: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Move Back in With Mother 1:45 Mother: Official Clip - We Know Why She Hates Me Mother: Official Clip - We Know Why She Hates Me 1:54 Mother: Official Clip - A Trip to the Mall Mother: Official Clip - A Trip to the Mall 1:59 Mother: Official Clip - Follow Me Mother: Official Clip - Follow Me 1:45 Mother: Official Clip - Shopping Mother: Official Clip - Shopping 1:40 Mother: Official Clip - That's a Lot of Cheese Mother: Official Clip - That's a Lot of Cheese 1:43 Mother: Official Clip - Mrs. Henderson Mother: Official Clip - Mrs. Henderson 1:59 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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