Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
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CASH COW LAND — With Mother’s Day right around the corner, there is only one thing that makes any logical sense: make a movie about it because it’s the most anticipated, celebrated, and universal holiday on the planet. What? What’s that? It’s not? Well, let’s make a movie anyway with a bunch of recognizable names; we’ll make a boatload of money.
I’m pretty sure this was the thought process when someone decided it was a good idea to make “Mother’s Day.” I could rip this thing apart all day, but let’s be honest; none of you were really expecting much from this, were you?
“Mother’s Day” is yet another movie in the vein of unnecessary movie celebrations of holidays like “New Year’s Eve” and “Valentine’s Day” from the mind of Garry Marshall. These movies are low on substance, high on name recognition and lazy on story. An ensemble cast that has similar yet loosely (very loosely) intertwined stories that revolve around a specific holiday and in the end everything turns out well. Actually well isn’t the right word. I think absurdly perfect is more fitting.
“Mother’s Day” follows this exact same formula and there are moments that will make you chuckle, maybe even laugh, but there are more moments that make you shake your head as you realize they spent roughly $25 million to make this thing. I guess in the grand scheme of things, that’s not that much considering how many of us will still end up at the theater out of total curiosity and the movie will make its money back.
So, since you’re likely going to end up at the theater at some point or sitting on your couch with a confused look on your face as you try to figure out why a Red Box copy of “Mother’s Day” is sitting in your hand I’ll let you know the good and the bad about the movie.
The bad
Mostly everything
I may be a bit harsh on this. It’s probably not as bad as I’m making it out to be and there will undoubtedly be a lot of you out there who really enjoy this and that’s totally fine, but I am not one of those people.
This intersecting storylines are weak and I found myself not caring about any one of them, with the exception of one or two that I’ll get into later, and overall many of the characters were very unlikable. The majority of the jokes are forced, the characters are often petty and conniving, their motivations for the most part are weak, and wrap up at the end was the thing I laughed at the hardest. It’s bad enough we have an impromptu wedding, but throwing in the bride’s friend just happening to go into labor as well was too much for me.
From an actual movie standpoint with fleshed out characters, interesting storylines, and smart plot devices “Mother’s Day” isn’t even staying afloat, it’s sinking like a rock.
The good
“Saturday Night Live” alum Jason Sudeikis plays a single-father of two daughters dealing with the recent death of his wife. Weirdly enough it’s his story — not that of the actual mothers in the movie — that will resonate with people the most. His is the most based in reality and most relatable. Granted we haven’t all lost a spouse, but we can imagine the scenario and the heartache he’s facing. Sudeikis plays the part well and interjects his humor at the right moments to help remind us that this is an actual comedy.
Jennifer Aniston, mostly
In “Mother’s Day” Jennifer Aniston plays a divorced mom raising her two sons while dealing with an ex she still has feelings for and trying to find love as a single mom in her 40s. Not that the entire story works, but the parts that do play out like the Sudeikis story in that it’s actually relatable and therefore interesting. Aniston plays the part with her regular charm and she and Sudeikis have a natural chemistry that’s infectious. That’s also a frustrating part, however, because it will leave you wishing “Mother’s Day” was about these two and their story as opposed to the other stuff thrown in there.
Conclusion
Even with its moments of promise and Sudeikis and Aniston's charm, this film is not really worth your time. If you loved “New Year’s Eve” and “Valentine’s Day” then sure, take some time and check it our. But if you’re like me and felt like getting through those films felt like a marathon, then do yourself a favor and remind yourself that running one marathon is impressive, two is pretty amazing and three at this point is just torture.
“Mother’s Day” is rated PG-13 and earns the rating with adult situations, some harsh language, talk of sex and adult themes.
