Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and most moms want nothing more than a relaxing day at home. So why not set up the mom in your life with her favorite movie munchies and watch one of these films with her.
My wonderful friends across social media helped me create a list of favorite moms and/or mother-child relationships from film. Here they are in no particular order:
Mamma Mia (2008)
Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried share a unique mother-daughter bond, in that Seyfried’s character, Sophie, has no idea who her father is. She narrows it down to three gentlemen after snooping in her mother’s old journal: Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), Sam (Pierce Brosnan), and Harry (Colin Firth) – one of which she’d like to walk her down the aisle at her own wedding. The whole thing is set to hit ABBA songs, which makes it a lot of fun, and simultaneously the worst thing in the world because the songs will never leave your head.
Brave (2012)
I’m super cool and sometimes cry at the end of Pixar movies – it’s okay, I’m getting help for it. “Brave” had me sobbing at the end while holding onto my own little ginger daughter. The struggle between moms and their stubborn daughters (especially teens!) is captured well in this film. Elinor (Emma Thompson) is trying to do what she thinks is best for Merida (Kelly Macdonald), but in the process stifles Merida’s individuality. Of course, Merida rebels in her way (it involves a wee bit of magic) and things get out of control. But through the trial Elinor and Merida become closer and learn to understand where the other is coming from.
The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)
There’s a couple of friggin’ awesome moms in the HP series. First you have Lily Potter (Geraldine Somerville) who made the ultimate sacrifice for her young son – she gave her life to protect him. And then you have Molly Weasley (Julie Walters) who is not only the mother of seven children, but who fiercely protects each and every one of them. Not only that, but she also takes in Harry Potter and cares for him like one of her own. Do not mess with Mrs. Weasley folks.
The Blind Side (2009)
This one gets bonus points for being based on a true story, so the matriarch in this film, Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock), is a real mother who opened her heart up to a troubled and lonely teen. Leigh Anne Tuohy took in Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) after her son befriended him at school. Michael slowly becomes part of the Tuohy family, and eventually, Leigh Anne and her husband become his legal guardians. With the help of the Tuohys, Oher improved not only his skills on the football field, but his academic scores as well. Oher might be a familiar name because he was drafted first round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. Bullock’s performance in this film landed her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2009.
Steel Magnolias (1989)
Dubbed “the funniest movie that will ever make you cry,” this movie stars Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and Olympia Dukakis. The mother-daughter relationship between M’Lynn (Fields) and Shelby (Roberts) illustrates how mothers don’t stop being mothers just because their children are grown. It’s a gig that sticks with us through all time. Shelby has type one diabetes and even though she is recently married, M’Lynn still worries and watches out for her daughter. Especially when Shelby announces she is pregnant with her first child, as doctors had previously warned her that her body might not be able to handle childbirth due to the diabetes.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Here we have another example of how some of the most awesome mothers on film are inspired by real women. Julia Roberts stars as Erin Brockovich, a single mother of three whom, in an unconventional manner (she just shows up and starts working), secures a job working for a lawyer and ends up helping 634 people win a lawsuit against an energy corporation. Brockovich shows how we as mothers can both do something good for others and raise our own children. Also, “They’re called boobs, Ed.” Who can forget that line?
There are so many movies that capture mothers and their relationships with their children in real and relatable ways. We’re over protective, embarrassing, and always learning as we go, but one thing remains… we will forever be our children’s champions.
If I missed your favorite, tell me what it is and why it’s on your list in the comments below! This list could go on for ages, let’s keep it going!