Five Great ... Movies About Moms
Tara Burghart Monday, May 2, 2011 at 6:15AM Mother’s Day is Sunday – but of course you already knew that, didn’t you? In honor the holiday, we thought the “Five Great … “ list could take a look at five films in which the role of being a mother played a central, well, role. Is your favorite on the list? If not, make sure to tell us about it in the comments section!
"Terms of Endearment" starred Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine as her mother.* Terms of Endearment: The gold standard when it comes to movies about mother-daughter relationships. Starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger and Jack Nicholson it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
* The Sound of Music: Who wouldn’t want to have Julie Andrews as their stepmom? Plus, even before she married their father, Maria was loving and nurturing with the von Trapp childeren. And don’t forget the wise “Mother” Abbess, who sends Maria to the von Trapps in the first place and sings the inspirational “Climb Every Mountain.”
* One True Thing: This is an underrated gem, in my humble opinion. Released in 1998, it stars Meryl Streep as a very traditional mom and Renee Zellweger as her career-minded daughter who returns home when mom gets sick. Warning: It’s a weeper, but I know it inspired me to call my mom the next day to say I loved her!
* Mommie Dearest: I didn’t say the movies had to be about good mothers, did I? This is one that will make you realize that on those days when you feel like the worst mom on the planet … well, you’re not.
* The Blind Side: Leigh Ann Tuoy didn’t enter Michael Oher’s life until he was a teenager, yet she certainly became his own personal mother lionness. Her role in this movie, based on a true story, earned Sandra Bullock a Best Actress award just a couple years ago.
What’s your favorite movie about mothers? Please share!
Reader Comments (7)
I love Steel Magnolias. This was the first time I ever saw Sally Field as a real actress. Her strength and her anger seem so real!
I hate to admit this, but Stepmom is one of my favorites. It breaks my heart every time I watch it, but I can't stop myself.
Steel Magnolias.
The original Mine, Yours and Ours with Lucille Ball! I could watch that over and over again.
I have to confess that I've never watched "Steel Magnolias" all the way through - just bits and pieces. Now I just have to rent it!
Diane ... I love old movies, and Lucille Ball, too, so I'll have to check out "Mine, Yours and Ours."
A commenter on Facebook suggested "Mermaids." I thought that was a good one.
And Jen .. I think "Stepmom" was filmed a lot around a town where I lived in New Jersey. So I should rent it, too. And watch with a box of tissues handy.
I love Steel Magnolias! I do get teary eyed at the end every time. I also loved the Blind Side!!!
Suzette ... "The Blind Side" came to me as one to include b/c I was trying to think of movies that showcased mother-son relationships. It's so easy to think of films in which a mother-daughter relationship is central, but much harder to think of mother-son relationships. "Psycho" did spring to mind, but ...