Review of Mother's Day (2016) by Ashlyn M — 22 Jul 2018

A Movie for All Mothers.

Gary Marshall has done it again. With an all-star cast, including Julia Roberts and Hector Elizondo, this movie was not only humorous, but relatable. Set up similarly to Marshall's Valentine's Day, it features a connected cast holding their own, but unique life story. Just as Valentine's Day represented the different types of people on the holiday, Mother's Day had the same approach, but focused on the different roles a mother can have and some of the many examples which make up a mother's life in our days.

One would be blind if they did not see Marshall's effort to include the many different forms a mother can come in. Sandy, one of the main characters played by Jennifer Aniston, is a single mother who tries her best to take care of her two kids. Despite her divorce, she is still close to her ex, Henry. Sandy's world begins to crumble when Henry explains his recent elopement with a past girlfriend, who is young enough to be an older sister to the kids rather than a mother. Sandy is a representation of not only a single mother, but a sharing mother as she learns to come to terms with this new change in life. Tina is another great representation of women who become "instant" mothers by marrying into a family with kids. Tina struggles with the overwhelming responsibility of being a new mother, but also trying to fill the shoes of Sandy.

Marshall made a great connection made between Kate Hudson's character and Jason Sudeikis's girls in the movie. When Marshall introduces Hudson's character, Hudson is shown with her sister, Gabi discussing their relationship about their mother. Both mention how they are keeping secrets from their mother and father. Hudson's character, Jesse keeps her Indian-American husband and son hidden from her parents because they are somewhat prejudice still. Jesse also gave her husband a false impression of her by saying they were both a dementia facility in Arizona. Gabi is a lesbian and is married to her partner. They also have a son, whom they adopted. The sisters state how even though they have a mother, they feel motherless. Jason Sudeikis's role as a single, recently widowed father, represents not only fathers in his situation, but children who are mother-less in that sense.

You can expect to leave feeling good after watching a Gary Marshall film. Marshall provides comical relief when sharing the ups and downs of his characters stories. Flo, Jesse and Gabi's conservative, Texan mother, has a story that is hilarious, yet a real struggle for some moms. When Flo and her husband, Earl decide to surprise her daughters and reunite with them after years of conflict and family drama, she instead is the one that ends up being surprised as she finds out her daughter's real lives. Flor and Earl are convinced they are on the Jerry Springer show, only to realize they aren't as the dialogue goes on. Flo and Earl end their trip early and while leaving, Flo is distraught because her once vibrant sapphire mood pendant has now turned black during those few minutes. Though the Flo and Earl are working through their new-found feelings together, Marshall's comical twist instantly lightens the mood that can be found within complicated family relationships.

What makes Marshall's movies so relatable is the fact that he keeps his context up to date. He does a great job bringing the audience into the character's lives and the ability to sympathize with them. One had to do with a new and young mother, Kristin, who is pressured from her boyfriend to get married, but is afraid. Not only does Marshall include a mother's in Kristin's view, but also birth children and birth mother's points of views as Kristin is adopted and her birth mother is Julia Roberts character in the movie host. people want to believe in. People can relate to this movie because there seems to be a lot more birth mothers and birth children out there. Gabi's story is also in line with our times with same-sex marriage and families presenting themselves even more in our society today.

Mother's Day is worth the watch. You feel good after watching it and can see the beauty of Marshall's directing shine through. Though not all real-life stories are like the characters portrayed in the film, their struggles are real. Who wouldn't want a happy ending like each of the characters? We're each looking for our happy ending in life whether it is finding peace and closure with oneself and having loving family relationships and friendships. Let's give a round of applause for Marshall.