3 movies about mums for Mother’s Day

Mum’s special day calls for a bit of indulgence. Flowers, chocolates and the chance to enjoy some “me time” after the festivities are over for the day.

To help you celebrate all things maternal, here’s three comedies to lift your spirits without getting too serious*. Being a mum can be serious enough right?

Kath and Kim (2007)

Rated: PG, Netflix

It seemed like a straightforward exercise to review this feature-length movie based on the popular TV series (2002-2007). But it turns out that the whole concept of Kath (Jane Turner as the mum) and Kim (Gina Riley as the daughter) is deceptively simple. It’s a sitcom but not as everyone knows it. It’s actually a details-driven satire and the words matter. And it stands up to the test of time thanks to the spot-on observations, comic timing and dialogue.

Settle into the sofa, immerse yourself in Aussie slang, 80s fashion moments and take a trip into the hyper-reality of suburban life in a fictional Melbourne suburb.

Magda Szubanski’s performances as Sharon, Kim’s sport-loving, accident-prone “second best friend”, have become legendary. Sharon anchors all the characters particularly mum and daughter.

Then there’s the romantic partners, “hunk of spunk” Kelvin "Kel" Graham Knight (Glenn Robbins) “purveyor of fine meats” and Brett Craig (Peter Rowsthorn) salesman at Computa City.

Even if you didn’t really love the series when it first came out, Kath and Kim is pure entertainment and just the thing for winding down and not taking life too seriously.

After all, it’s “noice, different, unusual”.

Bad Moms (2016)

Rated: MA+, Prime Video

Ready for some escapism after a busy Mother’s Day?

Bad Moms takes us into the lives of three women, all with different back stories but bound by being moms:  Amy (Mila Kunis), Carla (Kathryn Hahn), and Kiki (Kristen Bell). Modern motherhood has stressed them to the point where they’re ready to cut loose, behave badly and have some fun.

Ready yourself for some slapstick gags and sticky situations. Not all work well but the realistic observations of the ups and downs of motherhood help them resonate.

The three mom-friends have a common enemy, Gwendolyn, the brittle, perfectly-coiffed PTA president who’s the grown-up version of the head girl bully with attendant toady moms.  She’s also the keeper of social ground rules for the school community.

Amy’s honesty and candour cracks the artificial edifice of Gwendolyn’s despotic rule and brings about positive change for all. The old regime is banished with its “baked goods police force” and pretensions. Reality and normality is brought back into the lives of the school families and all is well.

Yeah, it’s a fluffy film but it also has a message about the value of keeping it real.

Stepmom 1999

Rated M: Prime Video

While StepMom isn't the best film about motherhood you'll ever see, it's entertaining in a sweet way.

The plot sees divorced mother Miranda (Susan Sarandon) grappling with the reality of her ex-husband's new partner, the much younger Isabel (Julia Roberts), who is about to become the stepmother to her children. Miranda and Isabel initially clash, with Miranda feeling threatened by Isabel's presence in her children's lives and Isabel struggling to find her footing in her new role.

Given the title, you'll be well and truly ready for the reveal: Isabel may be younger and hipper, but she's no match for the overbearing and overprotective Miranda when it comes to parenting. And the true evergreen talent that is Susan Sarandon as Miranda doesn't disappoint.

Seems that after years of being the primary caregiver, Miranda has a hard time letting go and trusting Isabel's intentions. But when Miranda receives a devastating diagnosis, she realises she has competition for her children's affection and the fireworks really start. In this end this movie does warm the cockles of your heart while reminding us that family comes in different shapes and forms. 

*Some of these movies are not suitable for watching with young kids, so please check the ratings.

For more movie tips for Mother’s Day see our tips of films to watch with mum.

Explore our Family Hub for more great advice and information. Or, if you’re looking for a way to keep connected and bring your family together, explore our Family Plans for generous data and amazing value.

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