After his second marriage hits the skids, novelist John Henderson tries to divine the source of his problems with women by moving home and getting to know his mother all over again. The only problem is, she doesn't really want him there. As John tries to figure out why, as he puts it, she hates him, he also has to contend with his jealous younger brother, who can't stand to see him threatening his position as mama's boy. MOTHER is a bittersweet comedy from Albert Brooks, the master of urbane wit. Debbie Reynolds makes her first film appearance in years as Henderson's maddening but loving mother. Listen for the new lyrics to the Simon and Garfunkel song "Mrs. Robinson" in the film, penned by Brooks and coscreenwriter Monica Johnson.
The film marks Debbie's Reynold's first starring role in a film in almost 30 years. She followed it up with a role in the Kevin Kline coming-out comedy IN AND OUT the following year.
Lisa Kudrow has a hilarious turn as Henderson's first disastrous date after his divorce.
Watch for short-lived MELROSE PLACE cast member Vanessa Williams as Kudrow's roommate.
MOTHER won Best Screenplay prizes from the New York Film Critics and the National Society of Film Critics.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case - Sensormatic
Single Side - Dual Layer
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Surround - English
Dolby Digital Surround - French
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Costume Designer
Judy L. Ruskin:
Director of Photography
Lajos Koltai: Director Of Photography
Review 1:
"...Terrifically likable....The best reason to see MOTHER is the deliciously off-kilter performance of Debbie Reynolds..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.43-4 01/17/1997
Review 2:
"...The dialogue in MOTHER is written so carefully that some lines carry two or three nuances..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.28 01/10/1997
Review 3:
"...A deftly observed study of mother-son tensions....The storytelling verve, characterizations and observations about contemporary foibles are sharp..."
Source: Variety
09/16/1996
Review 4:
"...[A] wonderfully edgy mother-son comedy....With terrific performances....See MOTHER for a knockout Debbie Reynolds..."
Source: Film Comment
p.53-7 11/01/1996
Review 5:
"...Funny yet tremendously tellin....This well-crafted film is exceedingly sensitive, balanced and scaled in all its aspects..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F1 01/02/1997