Arts & Entertainment
Mother's Day 2020: 13 Best Movies To Watch
Celebrate Mother's Day at home by watching captivating, mom-centric flicks such as "A Simple Favor," "Little Women" and "Steel Magnolias."
This Sunday is Mother's Day, and for many of us who continue to stay at home this weekend, watching a movie may just be the best way to celebrate and honor mom on her special day. Luckily, we've compiled a list of captivating mom-centric films for the whole family to enjoy.
Hoping to catch a whodunnit thriller? Look no further than "A Simple Favor" on Amazon Prime. The film noir stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively as two moms who become an unlikely pair of friends.
Fans of Charlize Theron should check out "Tully," a comedy-drama about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Meanwhile, for those seeking laughter and humor, "A Bad Moms Christmas" is available on Netflix for your streaming pleasure.
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Last but not least, other must-see films are dramas such as "20th Century Women," "Breakthrough," "Steel Magnolias," "Lady Bird" and Greta Gerwig's "Little Women."
As you stay indoors this weekend, make sure to check out these delightful films that turn the spotlight on moms. Happy Mother's Day!
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"A Simple Favor" — Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, directed by Paul Feig
Based on Darcy Bell's best-selling novel, Paul Feig's film noir centers on two mothers whose lives become enmeshed in a lurid web of deception, shocking truths and relational transgressions.
The film stars Anna Kendrick as the down-to-earth Stephanie Smothers, a stay-home mommy vlogger, and Blake Lively as Emily Nelson, her super-posh friend, a fashion executive who suddenly disappears without a trace.
Clueless but determined, Stephanie takes it upon herself to search for her bestie, along with the help of Emily's husband, Sean (Henry Golding). What emerges is a whodunnit thriller that is stylishly twisty and clever.
“Steel Magnolias” — Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton; directed by Herbert Ross
Shelby (Julia Roberts), a young bride-to-be, enters a beauty shop operated by Truvy (Dolly Parton). Meanwhile, Annelle (Daryl Hannah), a new girl whom Truvy just hired, is doing her wonders on Shelby’s mother, M’Lynn (Sally Field). Dropping in are the grieving widow Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) and the town’s richest and meanest woman, Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine).
This colorful setup is the introduction to the film’s six steel magnolias, the six women who are nonsensical on the outside but steely enough inside to endure even the seemingly insurmountable challenges of their lives.
Herbert Ross’ dramedy will make you laugh and cry. The ensemble work of the actresses exudes hairpin comic timing as they exchange delightful one-liners and zingers. Be forewarned: The movie involves a heartbreaking tragedy, so grab that box of Kleenex.
"Incredibles 2" — Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter; directed by Brad Bird
The incredible family of superheroes, the Parrs — Dad Bob (Craig T. Nelson), Mom Helen (Holly Hunter), 14-year-old Violet (Sarah Vowell), 10-year-old Dash (Huckleberry Milner) and baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) — get back into action to save the world in this animation sequel that lives up to its title.
But how exactly? Mr. Incredible, Bob's alter-ego, stays home to take care of the children, while Elastigirl, Helen’s alter-ego, embarks on a mission to stop the villainous Screenslaver from wreaking havoc on the denizens’ lives.
Fans of 2004's "The Incredibles" will adore this pastiche of delight and playfulness along with a sleek retro-1960s style, Holly Hunter's commanding voice performance and Bird's skillful direction.
“20th Century Women” — Annette Bening, Elle Fanning; directed by Mike Mills
Loosely based on writer-director Mike Mills’ own childhood, the comedy-drama centers on Dorothea Fields (Annette Bening), a 55-year-old single mom fretting over her 15-year-old precocious son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), who is experiencing a serious adolescent angst.
Feeling lost and desperate to reconnect with Jamie, she enlists the help of her two lodgers — 20-something photographer Abbie (Greta Gerwig) and Jamie’s friend, 17-year-old Julie (Elle Fanning)— to talk to him about the ideal qualities that define a great man.
Set in Santa Barbara in 1979, “20th Century Women” feels nostalgic and invigorating in its episodic presentation of the three central women in Jamie’s life.
“The Blind Side”— Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron; directed by John Lee Hancock
Sandra Bullock stars as a caring, adoptive mother in John Lee Hancock’s sports drama, based on Michael Lewis’ acclaimed novel about family, love and devotion. The inspirational storyline chronicles the meteoric rise of Michael Oher from his humble beginnings as a homeless teen to his seemingly impossible position as an offensive lineman for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
When Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock), a brash wealthy interior designer, sees Oher (Quinton Aaron) wandering the streets of Memphis on a freezing, rainy night, she immediately invites him to stay with her family. What ensues is a myriad of events that are immensely uplifting, entertaining and inspirational, all grounded by the palpable chemistry between Bullock and Aaron.
"Tully" — Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis; directed by Jason Reitman
Charlize Theron stars in this comedy-drama about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. In the movie, Theron plays Marlo, an overwrought housewife who is grappling with the burden of caring for her newborn baby. Feeling emotionally drained, she reluctantly accepts a generous offer from her wealthy brother Craig (Mark Duplass) to pay for the services of a night nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis).
At first, Marlo is uncomfortable with the 26-year-old helper. However, as their bond of friendship deepens, the 40-year-old mother begins to feel whole again.
“Tully” feels raw, honest and authentic, bolstered by stellar work from leads Theron and Davis.
“Little Women” — Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson; directed by Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig's film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 19th century novel captures the beauty and driving tensions of sisterhood through the prism of the March sisters' youth.
The first among equals is the strong-willed aspiring writer Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), who is in the throes of a conflict with a fastidious publisher. Meanwhile, the youngest of the March sisters, fashionable Amy (Florence Pugh), is in Paris musing on the art scene with their wealthy Aunt March (Meryl Streep). Married back in New England is the oldest of the siblings, the maternal and headstrong Meg (Emma Watson), while Jo’s younger sister, open-hearted musician Beth (Eliza Scanlen), is at home with their mother, Marmee (Laura Dern).
Well-crafted and well-acted, Gerwig's "Little Women" is no "little" feat, as it delights audiences with incisive questions on love, money, ambitions and sacrifices — all delivered with indelible sensitivity and endearing charm.
“Terms of Endearment”— Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson; directed by James L. Brooks
The winner of the 1984 Academy Award for Best Picture follows the seemingly divergent but intertwining lives of Aurora Greenaway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger) over three decades. Poignant and insightful to the core, the dramedy shines through its deeply layered screenplay, James L. Brooks’ deft direction and superb work from the leads.
Over the years, it feels as though the love-hate relationship between Aurora and Emma would last a lifetime — that is, until cancer strikes one of them and ends with heart-wrenching goodbyes.
"Breakthrough"— Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Marcel Ruiz; directed by Roxann Dawson
Based on true events chronicled in the book "The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother's Faith and Her Child's Resurrection," the film stars Chrissy Metz as Joyce Smith, a mother and a devout Christian whose life gets upended when her 14-year-old son, John (Marcel Ruiz), falls through an icy expanse of frozen lake.
Within minutes, paramedics arrive and soon pluck John's body from the freezing water. However, a half-hour later, doctors will pronounce the teenager dead. What ensues is a testament to Joyce’s abiding faith as she prays hard pleading for a miracle. Her undying love for her son will surely resonate with audiences from all walks of life.
“The Joy Luck Club” — Ming-Na Wen, Tamlyn Tomita; directed by Wayne Wang
Wayne Wang’s film adaptation of Amy Tan’s best-selling novel centers on four mothers — who were born in China and came to America — and their respective first-generation American-born daughters. The drama seamlessly intertwines the past and present in a series of flashbacks, which reveal the stories and secrets of the four older women, called “aunties” in the film.
A touching and moving film, “The Joy Luck Club” is universal and timeless as it relates how the past paves the way for the present to achieve peace and harmony in a melting pot of disparate rhythms and cultures.
“Lady Bird” — Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf; directed by Greta Gerwig
The directorial debut of Greta Gerwig is largely an homage to the complexities of the mother-daughter bond. With her adept talent behind the camera and the stellar performances from Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, this Oscar-nominated film will captivate you from its dramatic introduction to its poignant conclusion.
In the film, an artistically talented teenager, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Ronan), is about to graduate high school. In the meanwhile, her desire to flee California for an East Coast college causes some issues with her mother (Metcalf).
“Bambi” — Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander; directed by James Algar and Samuel Armstrong
Walt Disney’s favorite of his animated films is an endearing and enduring movie classic for young and old alike. The simple story explores the themes of love, friendship and survival, as it follows the life of Bambi, the baby deer hailed as the Prince of the Forest.
With evocative imagery and dreamy backdrops, the storyline echoes the ebbs and flows of life as portrayed in a series of Bambi’s first-ever experiences — from his first wobbly steps into this world and his first encounter with danger and loss to his first rush of romance and his delight in becoming a dad.
"A Bad Moms Christmas"— Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn; directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
The heroines from the 2016 comedy "Bad Moms" are back for another round of gags and laughs. This time, the three moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn) are all set for a very relaxing, toned-down Christmas — that is, until their exasperating mothers (Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon) all show up the week before the holidays. And so — let the shenanigans begin!
Despite being too bold at times, the mother-daughter comedy will surely win you over with the stars’ outstanding comic timing and magnetic collective chemistry.
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