Motherhood (PG-13, 2009)

common sense media says

Parenting dramedy entertains but unlikely to appeal to kids.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Uma Thurman dramedy offers a fairly unvarnished look at parenthood that will appeal much more to moms and dads (who will be able to relate to the subject matter) than to their kids. Teens who do opt in will find some humor in the movie's honesty about the challenges and hassles of having children, but younger kids may be put off by that same frankness. That said, the main characters clearly love their families ... even if they do sometimes yell at each other, swear (including "s--t" and one use of "f--k"), and make other mistakes.

Positive messages: Though both Eliza and her husband struggle with how to shape their identities in the face of enormous parenting responsibilities, it's clear that they value each other and the life they've made together. There's a pragmatic message in here, too: That you can find yourself somewhere completely unexpected, glamorous plans waylaid, and still be happy. But happiness is a squirmy thing, and it requires work.
Positive role models: There's no doubt that Eliza feels overwhelmed by her mothering duties and sometimes resents the fact that her husband works in an office while she's at home juggling both kids and a semblance of a work life. She also makes some missteps in friendship matters (like including her best friend's real name in her blog). But her love for her children is palpable, and she appears to be an engaged parent. She and her husband, despite their tensions, also seem devoted to each another and to their family. And there's something admirable in someone who at the very least strives to accept her limitations and find the joy in them.
Violence: A woman gets into an argument in the middle of a street with a man who calls her a name. A few other yelling exchanges.
Sex: Women disrobe to their underwear at a sample sale, where a pregnant woman also discusses pleasuring herself with one of her children’s bath toys (she also mentions a sex toy). A married mother of two flirts with a much younger man. A couple has an honest conversation about sex -- or, rather, the lack thereof -- and marriage.
Language: Fairly salty, though not constant. Words include "s--t," "goddamn," "wanker," "piss," "ass," "bloody," "dickhead," "crap," and a use of "f--k." Also, a character mouths the word “c--t.”
Consumerism: Labels visible for cameras, printers, and computers (Apple).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: References to gin and "reefer."

More on Motherhood

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about Eliza’s daily life. Does it seem realistic or exaggerated for cinematic effect? Is it an accurate representation of modern family life?
  • What are the different styles of parenting that the movie references? What is it trying to say about motherhood and fatherhood? Are the parents in this movie good role models? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Eliza Welsh’s (Uma Thurman) frenzied day begins the moment she sets one foot out of bed and onto the floor. From then on, it’s an energetic ballet that requires her to pirouette from school drop-offs to picking up the supplies for her daughter’s birthday party to walking the dog to snagging a discounted dress at a sample sale with her pregnant best friend (Minnie Driver), all while caring for her son and swapping schedules with her equally taxed husband, Avery (Anthony Edwards). And somewhere amid the chaos is a writing contest that Eliza, a parenting blogger, wants to enter so she can finally secure a regular paying gig ... if only she can find the time to gather her thoughts and distill what motherhood really means to her.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

There’s nothing in MOTHERHOOD that most of us haven’t already seen or read. But what a relief  to hash through it again with empathy and humor. Short on originality but strong in voice and storytelling, this dramedy will have moms (and dads) relieved that an essential truth about parenting -- that on a daily basis, it really can be a numbing grind -- is presented as-is, without the requisite "of course it’s all worth it." The ecstasy outweighs the agony -- many parents say so  -- but too often we feel guilty admitting the downsides.

Thurman goes unpretty here, and though it doesn’t really work (she’s still more glamorous than most moms), she surrenders to the role, and the film is better for it. A scene that has her confronting Avery (Edwards is excellent) is stunning in its authenticity. All the performances are spot on, actually, and a moment that has Eliza reliving her youth under the watchful gaze of an admirer is enervating. Best of all is the movie's faithful rendering of a day in a life of a Manhattan mom. Unlike in reality shows, they’re not all catty housewives. It's just too bad that an unlikely plot point near the end strains the credibility a little too far.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Freestyle Releasing
Director: Katherine Dieckmann
Cast: Anthony Edwards, Minnie Driver, Uma Thurman
Genre: Drama
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: October 23, 2009
DVD release: February 23, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, sexual references and a brief drug comment
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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Not worth watching... Boring...
My wife and I watched this one. Was quite boring... One sence referenced a women pleasuring herself with a childs bath toy. Bottom line the movie wasn't any good and not worth watching.

hioe
parent of 18 year old
 
listen
hate it it is horible never rent this movie

moviefan22
teen, 13 years old
 
Adults might like it a little; kids like me will HATE it!
I personally hated this movie, but CSM is right, mom's and dad's might like it. Definitely will not appeal to kids! First off, is the language. They use the word "****", c***, *******, a**, and much more. There's a lot of yelling on the streets. The role models are good and bad. One bad one is where a mom says "Clara's learning about in school this no smoking thing, which I think is great, but I say, everything in moderation" while smoking. Pretty bad role model... The good ones are the parents love and care for their kids. Smoking is present throughout the whole movie.They say many sex words in the movie like "S******, and "**********. There is one line a old woman says to someone she's angry at and that's really gross. At the end, the mom and dad kiss quite fiercely. A married woman flirts with a 22 year old and that part is pretty gross too. Overall, if your an adult and want an OK movie, watch this, but if you're a kid like me, don't watch at all. Too innapropiate and it's just plain boring.

nancylorel
educator and parent of 7 and 9 year old
 
Felt identified
Slow, but I felt so identified. I recommend it to mothers WITH their husbands.

Cianelli
parent
 
Didn't finish the movie because it inappropriate for families.
About 15 minutes into the move a character yells the c--t word. PG 13 really? We let our 11year old watch PG 13 because we also have a 15 year old. It's bad enough the F bomb gets dropped one time almost every PG13 movie, now we are throwing the C bomb in the mix.

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