Mother (1996)

Look, either you like Albert Brooks' incessant kevetching or you don't. I find it amusing. And juxtaposed with Debbie Reynolds' sweet yet obnoxious mother character, it's a riot. But that's just my opinion

Brooks doesn't really go anywhere new here, there are some standard gags and jokes, but he makes some wry and hilarious comments on older folks that are just so insightful we have to laugh. One scene that is truly funny occurs in the supermarket where Reynolds begins to tell an employee something totally unimportant which she has found funny. It's just the kind of thing an older mom does. It's hilarious.

If there is any problem with the film it's that there are a few too many "Oedipal" jokes. This is a bit unsettling for the most secure of us. It's creepy. Otherwise, "Mother" is typical Brooks fun: Really funny.

Note:

Also with Rob Morrow, Lisa Kudrow, Vanessa Williams, and Anne Haney.

Brooks not only stars but is also Director, Co-Scripter and Co-Writer of a spoof song in the film. The Paul Simon tune "Mrs. Robinson" (from "The Graduate") is changed to "Mrs Henderson," Reynolds' character's name.

Monica Johnson co-wrote the script and the spoof song.

Music by Mark Shaiman. One of the Producers is Scott Rudin.

There are at least six other films named "Mother."

"M Butterfly," Charlie Chaplin, and Stephen King are mentioned in the text. The Beachboy's "In My Room" and Wilson Picket's "Land of a 1000 Dances" appear on the soundtrack.

(Review written in 1997)

Report Card

Script: B+

Acting: B

Cinematography\Lighting: C

Special Effects\Make Up: C

Music: A

Final Grade: B