Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
IRA hunger strike drama has upsetting scenes, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Some Mother's Son
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SOME MOTHER'S SON, a group of IRA prisoners put their lives on the line with a hunger strike in protest against the British government classing them as criminals rather than prisoners of war. With their sons in prison and threatening to join the protest, Kathleen Quigley (Helen Mirren) and Annie Higgins (Fionnula Flanagan) face their own struggles.
Is It Any Good?
This historical drama focuses on the effect that the 1981 IRA hunger strike prison protests had on two families of prisoners in Northern Ireland. In Some Mother's Son, Mirren is excellent as an apolitical widow with three children trying to get by amid "The Troubles." When her son is arrested for attempted murder, no longer can she avoid the political problems in her country. The film doesn't pull any punches. The British government and its top leadership are portrayed as cruel and ruthless, none more so than Tom Hollander's Farnsworth -- the documentary footage of the then British Prime Minister is chilling in context. While Hunger tells the story in unflinching, gruesome detail, Some Mother's Son is a slightly easier but still troubling account of a desperate period of Irish and British history.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Some Mother's Son. Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. What did you know about it before you saw this movie? Has it encouraged you to find out more? How to talk to kids about violence, crime, and war.
Did any of the characters demonstrate courage, perseverance, and self-control? Why are these such good character strengths to have? Despite these traits, why might some people not see them as role models?
Discuss the language used in the film. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : May 6, 2011
- Cast : Helen Mirren , Aidan Gillen , Fionnula Flanagan
- Director : Terry George
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and some political violence and suffering
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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