Best Mom Movies

All the world loves a mom. Wait… no, that’s not right. Oh well, nevertheless, Hollywood does love mothers. They fill our favorite movies and stand the test of time. From the worst (anyone a little haunted by Norman Bates twisted relationship with his dead mother in 1960’s Psycho?) to the best (who could resist a little tear forming in the corner of their eye watching Forrest Gump’s relationship develop and strengthen with his mother?), we love them all. Here are a few of my favorites:

A high-powered New York female executive’s life is thrown into turmoil when she unexpectedly inherits, not a fortune, but a baby from a distant passing relative. She is quickly forced into learning the ropes of motherhood, and as a result her entire world is turned upside down, from relationships to career, even her home. See motherhood through fresh- and funny- eyes.

The unmatchable duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star in this hilarious story of a successful, single professional (Fey) who hires a surrogate (Poehler) to carry a child for her. The results are side-splittingly scenarios, and even a few touch-your-heart moments.

Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for her role as the ultimate “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” mother. You will laugh and cry through this true story of a wealthy, white, suburban family taking a homeless teenager into their home, and very quickly into their hearts.

After the heart-touching Part 1 of Father of the Bride, the story of George Banks’ (Steve Martin) difficult transition watching his daughter transition from young woman to bride, the sequel is equally as comical and endearing. As the Banks’ daughter moves forward in the natural progression after marriage, becoming pregnant with her first child, no one was expecting the other family progression coming along hand-in-hand. Mom is pregnant too?!? Or should we call her Grandma?

Tom Hanks stars in one of the greatest film’s of the 20^th century. (The American Film Institute rated Forrest Gump number 71 in their list of the 100 Greatest American Movies.) Forrest is a childlike man whose utter simplicity imparts wisdom and illumination to those around him. Central to Forrest Gump’s life is his relationship with his mother, which we see beautifully progress from his childhood to her passing. His mother’s influence is obvious on Forrest’s character, as he spends his life quoting lessons his “mama” taught him, to anyone who will listen.

When mother and daughter are convinced that neither one can possibly understand the struggles of the other, they mysteriously switch bodies after dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Through the total hilarity that ensues, both mom and daughter learn to truly empathize with each other’s struggles and frustrations. A laugh out loud tale appropriate for the whole family that will leave you with more than just laughs, a comedy with heart.

Although this movie (based on the book by Jodi Picoult with the same title) is more about sisters than mothers, you can’t help but be struck by Cameron Diaz’ heart-wrenching performance as a devoted mother fighting for her cancer-battling daughter’s life. The younger sister, played by Abigail Breslin, brings a law suit against her parents for being genetically created to be her sister’s medical match and undergoing surgeries and procedures her entire life in an effort to save her older sister’s life.

Sally Field stars in the portrayal of the true story of Betty Mahmoody and her struggle to escape her controlling husband’s home in Iran with her daughter. This movie was not without controversy upon it’s release, but remembering the movie is one woman’s story about one single Iranian family makes the struggle by this mother to protect her daughter absolutely worth watching.

Here’s a mom flick you may have never heard of! While Rose Muldoon (Maureen O’Hara) won’t leave the screen as one of your favorite mothers, this movie does comedically portray- albeit a little horrifyingly close to some people’s reality- the intense bond between mother and son (played by John Candy). Chicago cop, Danny Muldoon, attempts to grow a relationship with a shy funeral home worker but is thwarted time and again by the passive-aggressive, and sometimes aggressive-aggressive, blocks by his mother.

A classic drama that touches the lives of all women. A the center of the circle of friends, is mother and daughter M’Lynn and Shelby (Sally Field and Julia Roberts) who embody the highs and lows of every mother/daughter relationship as we witness Shelby’s marriage, first child, and eventually life-threatening illness. Featuring an all-star cast including Dolly Parton and Shirley MacLaine, watch the bonds of these women form, grow, and become stronger than steel.