Mother's Day
Mother's Day follows the lives of several seemingly unconnected individuals as they navigate the challenges of motherhood and family relationships leading up to the titular holiday. From divorced parents to secret-keeping daughters, the film weaves a tapestry of intersecting lives, culminating in a chaotic and contrived climax that attempts to tie all the loose ends together.
Garry Marshall
Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts, Jason Sudeikis
Review
Mother's Day is the kind of film that makes you question the life choices of everyone involved, from the actors to the writers to the audience members who willingly bought tickets. Directed by Garry Marshall, known for his ensemble holiday-themed movies like Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve, this film attempts to capture the spirit of motherhood but falls flat on its face, much like the characters' attempts at humour and heartfelt moments.
The film's biggest flaw is its insistence on cramming too many characters and subplots into its runtime, resulting in a messy, disjointed narrative that struggles to keep the audience engaged. From Jennifer Aniston's Sandy, dealing with her ex-husband's new marriage, to Kate Hudson's Jessie, hiding her interracial marriage from her parents, the film is filled with characters whose stories lack depth and nuance.
Despite the talented cast, including Julia Roberts and Jason Sudeikis, the performances feel uninspired, as if the actors themselves are aware of the mediocrity of the material they're working with. Even Sudeikis, known for his comedic chops, fails to bring any laughter to this wreck of a film, leaving viewers wondering if this was just a paycheck movie for everyone involved.
The script, penned by a team of writers including the scribe of the forgettable "Monster-in-Law," is riddled with hacky jokes and contrived heart-to-heart moments that feel more like a bad sitcom than a heartfelt exploration of motherhood. The film's attempts at humour fall flat, with jokes that range from the cringeworthy (a fat guy nicknamed Tiny) to the downright bizarre (a giant uterus float in a parade).
In the end, Mother's Day is a staggering blend of silliness and schmaltz that fails to deliver on its promise of heartwarming entertainment. It's a film that relies too heavily on tired stereotypes and clichés, leaving audiences with a hollow and unsatisfying viewing experience.
Final Thoughts
Mother's Day is a trainwreck of a film that squanders the talents of its cast and fails to deliver anything resembling genuine emotion or humour. It's a film that feels like a missed opportunity, opting for broad entertainment over genuine insight into the complexities of motherhood. If you're looking for a film that celebrates mothers, look elsewhere—preferably to a film that doesn't insult your intelligence in the process.
