There’s just a little over a week until Mother’s Day, and in my family that means it’s time to pull out a mother-daughter film favourite. Here’s some ideas for you and your Mom (or Grandma) to give a shot. Maybe you’ll find a new favourite, or rediscover an old one!
Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts & Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias (1989)
This film is the epitome of successful dramedy. The film is an incredibly poignant and realistic representation of not just mother-daughter relationships, but also female friendship as a whole that will have you in both stitches and tears. Not sold yet? Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine spend good portions of the film pithily bantering. I would actually wear a shirt that says, “I slapped Ouiser Boudreaux!”.
Winona Ryder & Cher in Mermaids
Mermaids (1990)
Cher and Winona Ryder star in this hilarious take on life in the early 1960’s. As mother and daughter Rachel and Charlotte Flax, they are complete opposites. Cher’s character is attractive and outgoing, Winona Ryder’s Charlotte is obsessed with becoming a nun and clashes ensue over everything from relationships to outfit choices. If nothing else, it will make you glad that you have your Mom and not Cher; not to mention you get a chance to see Christina Ricci’s first on screen performance as the adorable younger sister.
Baby Boom (1987)
This will be a flash from your Mom’s past. Diane Keaton stars as J.C., a yuppie career woman whose life is turned upside down when her deceased relative’s baby is left in her care. Her initial ineptitude gives way to great success both at home and in business, making J.C. the ultimate working Mom. Third act bonus for me: the Vermont scenery, for my Mom: Sam Shepard.
Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Kirsten Dunst, Susan Sarandon & Claire Danes in Little Women
Little Women (1994)
My mother may hold the record for earliest crying in a film; just the opening credit music of this film has her in tears. Hopefully yours will hold it together a bit better, at least until, spoiler, Beth gets sick. This emotionally resonant and well paced adaptation stars Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon, as well as super young Claire Danes, Christian Bale and Kirsten Dunst.
Lola Dueñas, Yohana Cobo & Penélope Cruz in Volver
Volver (2006)
Volver is arguably Pedro Almodóvar’s most flawless representation of the relationships between women and families, and that’s saying a lot. Volver shifts effortlessly from dark and violent to lively and humorous. The films’ perfect cast is led by the smouldering Penélope Cruz in her first Oscar nominated role, and what is also the first time a Spanish actress has been nominated for a leading role. Finally, the rich colour scheme in the film is not only gorgeous, but will tempt even the staunchest non-subtitle reader to give Almodóvar’s other work a watch.