- Actors: Albert Brooks, Debbie Reynolds, Paul Collins, Laura Weekes, John C. McGinley
- Directors: Albert Brooks
- Writers: Albert Brooks, Monica Mcgowan Johnson
- Producers: Adam Schroeder, Barry M. Berg, Herb Nanas, Scott Rudin
- Format: NTSC
- Number of tapes: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Paramount
- VHS Release Date: April 1 2004
- Run Time: 104 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 6304502362
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#765 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
- #1 in Video > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Albert Brooks
- #2 in Video > Comedy > Comedy Directors > James L. Brooks
- #22 in DVD > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Albert Brooks
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Product Details |
Product Description
Amazon.com Essential Video
When Albert Brooks cast Debbie Reynolds to play his mother in this acclaimed 1996 comedy, the veteran singer-dancer-actress hadn't had a leading film role in nearly 30 years. Brooks had to pour on the charm to persuade her to make a comeback. The results were triumphant for writer-director Brooks and his on-screen mom, who earned some of the best reviews of their respective careers. The movie's about a science-fiction writer named John (Brooks), who's just weathered a second divorce and blames his failure with women on his dysfunctional relationship with his widowed mother (Reynolds). He decides that the best way to improve his romantic future is to move back in with his mother and resolve their simmering differences--a wild leap of logic that seems outrageous to John's brother (Rob Morrow), who has always been their mother's favorite son. As this domestic experiment unfolds, Brooks uses hilarious dialogue to convey a wealth of observant detail about familial tensions and annoying quirks of behavior. Mother is a movie about people who know how to push each other's buttons--all the wrong buttons--and the comedy will be recognized by anyone who's ever been exasperated by one or both of their parents. That means just about everyone, doesn't it? --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Debbie Reynolds IS the universal Mom!
May 6 2004
Format:DVD
Debbie Reynolds should have won the 1996 Academy Award for "Best Actress" for this film. I saw it when it opened in theaters with my own mother, and as the situations unfolded, watching Miss Reynolds' performance, I couldn't help thinking, "My God, they're twins!"
Mother and Child Reunion
Feb 13 2004
Format:VHS Tape
You would think any movie entitled MOTHER would either have to be the ultimate schmaltzfest or the penultimate psychodrama. Surprise! Albert Brooks film is neither. In fact, Brooks' specialty seems to be taking potentially weighty themes and making smart, but still lighter-than-air films on them. What DEFENDING YOUR LIFE did for the afterlife, MOTHER does for family relations. And that's a good thing.
Brooks has a deft, understated comic flair. You chuckle more often than you laugh out loud. Contrary to what others have posted below, Debbie Reynolds "Mother" character is not a black and white character at all. She's as conflicted and complicated--and as it turns out, just as smart--as her neurotic son(s). That's the beauty part. Brooks allows all his characters their humanity. He doesn't oversimplify things (frustrated son vs. castrating mother). Mother had her own issues--dating back to her own childhood and adolescence. Brooks' writer character John finally makes that realization and, in a very real sense, it proves liberating for him. But that almost makes MOTHER sound like more of a "message movie" than it ever was intended to be. In the end, MOTHER makes a gentle plea for self-realization for all. But that message just kind of sneaks up on you. What makes Albert Brooks kind of refreshing is that he doesn't have to lay it on with a trowel.
You DON'T have to be over 40 to enjoy this movie
Feb 11 2004
Format:DVD
I think the realistic, yet funny, mother/child relationship has a lot to do with why this is such a pleasant movie to watch. Someone commented that this movie will probably not be enjoyable to those under 40 years of age, but I would have to disagree with that. I'm 19 now and was even younger when I first saw this movie, yet I still think it's one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen.
Everyone has different taste when it comes to movies, but I think everyone should watch this movie at least once. It will bring back memories, and I'm sure you will enjoy it regardless of your age.
Everyone has different taste when it comes to movies, but I think everyone should watch this movie at least once. It will bring back memories, and I'm sure you will enjoy it regardless of your age.
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Most recent customer reviews
On a very short list of my favorite movies!
Debbie Reynolds sparkles! Albert Brooks is, as always, hysterical. I could swear that they were spying on my mother and myself when writing the screenplay! Wonderful!
Published on July 6 2003 by Kurt Reno
You Might Like It If You're Over The Age Of 40
Every movie has a target age demographic and audience, and I think I might have been too young to fully appreciate this kind of movie. Read more
Published on Feb 2 2003 by BookMania
Cost saving strategy: It's all, all the same
I absolutely loved this movie. I enjoyed watching it and laughing at how the characters related to each other. Read more
Published on April 22 2002 by Marie
A great light comedy
I find that I like Albert Brooks sense of humour, because I really liked this movie and Debbie Reynolds. Read more
Published on Mar 20 2002
Mommy Problems
This Albert Brooks film is an interesting little movie. Once you think you get a funny comedy, it turns and has some serious and dramatic moments. It's an intriguing movie. Read more
Published on Oct 16 2001 by Barry
Looking in the mirror
Almost every guy in the world will be able to relate to this movie. No, most mothers won't be as exaggerated and ridiculous as the character Debbie Reynolds plays in this... Read more
Published on Oct 9 2001 by L. Johnson
Mother
I thought it was very funny and very touching. One of the best movies I have seen in a long time.
Published on July 4 2001
Universal Problems
When you first watch this movie, you aren't quite sure what you are going to get. As it slowly reveals itself you find it as funny as it is discomforting. Read more
Published on May 3 2001 by lasher
Risking Mom
Albert performs his self-absorbed/deprecating L.A. weasel/writer schtick. The theme song, twisted from a classic, is mighty cute. Many of the gags fail. Read more
Published on April 27 2001 by Carra R Lane
Oedipus wrecks
a must for Albert Brooks fans and those with "overbearing" matriarchs; everyone else will have to settle for the sporadic one-liners (on the unlikely prospect of his... Read more
Published on Aug 17 2000 by "homer27"
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