Overview
A neurotic writer confronts his past and family dynamics in a comedic journey of self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sardonic
- lazy sunday
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Albert Brooks's intelligent, sharply observed dialogue and Debbie Reynolds's acidic yet tender performance in a perceptive family comedy-drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film's humor emerges from carefully observed arguments and familiar emotional misunderstandings between John, Beatrice, and Jeff.
John moves back in with Beatrice believing that resolving their relationship will help him sustain a successful romantic partnership.
The divorced novelist abandons his independent life to live with his mother, reopening tensions involving his brother and past relationships.
Critical reception specifically praises lines carrying multiple nuances and laughter rooted in insight and squirmy discomfort.
Films like Mother, and why
Terms of Endearment
observational family comedy, neurotic adult protagonist, and emotionally incisive parent-child conflict
Annie Hall
wry relationship comedy centered on self-absorption, romantic anxiety, and carefully layered dialogue
The Squid and the Whale
adult family dysfunction rendered through sharp humor, embarrassment, and reluctant emotional honesty
The Savages
warmly acidic comedy-drama about returning to family, generational friction, and personal reinvention
Movie Details
- Director
- Albert Brooks
- Release Date
- 1996-12-25
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (96)
Cast
- Albert Brooks
- Debbie Reynolds
- Rob Morrow
- Lisa Kudrow
- John C. McGinley
- Rosalind Allen
- Isabel Glasser
- Anne Haney
- Peter White
- Paul Collins
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mother about?
- A divorced novelist moves back in with his mother to repair their bond, only to discover that family intimacy is both his most revealing subject and his hardest problem.
- What is Mother like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mother as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mother violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Mother.
- What did critics think of Mother?
- Critics broadly praised Albert Brooks's intelligent, sharply observed dialogue and Debbie Reynolds's acidic yet tender performance in a perceptive family comedy-drama.
- Which films are like Mother?
- Films with a similar feel include Terms of Endearment, Annie Hall, The Squid and the Whale, and The Savages.
- How long is Mother?
- Mother runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mother?
- In United States, Mother is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
