Review of Moms' Night Out (2014) by Thequietgamer — 04 Sep 2014

I was surprised to learn that this movie has ties to Affirm Films, whose work consists of movies like 2011's "Courageous." That's right it's a christian-based movie aimed at families. While I've enjoyed previous works from them it was because they held true to their beliefs and strongly held them as the basis for their movies. That might have rubbed many the wrong way, but I've always respected them for it.

With Moms' Night Out I feel they kind of sold out. The films christian values are pushed down and the style is reminiscent of the Hangover movies, which means a string of moments that just get bigger and crazier as it goes on, although expectedly toned down. All of it just so they can attract a larger audience. The problem is outside of some rare moments, it isn't all that funny. You can clearly see where the inspiration comes from, and that unoriginality sinks into the humor. You've seen it all before in the r-rated comedies it's trying so hard to be the PG version of.

It also doesn't help that the majority of the characters are annoying stereotypes that are blown wildly out of proportion. Lead Sarah Drew's character is the worst offender. They try hard to capture how difficult motherhood is, but they do it by overly exaggerating the characters "mom" personality to the extreme. IT's annoying.

So the movie tries hard to be something it's not, and quite honestly given it's ties it shouldn't have been anyway. Still it doesn't hurt that it is a wholesome, family film. It's just a shame there are plenty of better options out there. It tries to grab both stressed out mothers and the Hangover movie crowd, and instead ends up pushing them both away. In the process it also alienates the crowd who typically like their movies. It's a sell out that failed to sell out.