With Mother’s Day around the corner I decided to list five movies that centers around mother’s and/or a mother and daughter/son relationship.

Serial Mom (1994) directed by John Waters. Starring Kathleen Turner, Ricki Lake, Sam Waterston and Matthew Lillard. What can I say about one of my favorite movies ever? This movie taught me such valuable lessons. However the most important lesson I learned from watching this movie was never take anyone for face value. Because they could be a Serial Mom in the making.

Fun Fact about this movie: The video store in the movie was one of John Waters favorite video stores in the area.

The Joy Luck Club (1993) directed by Wayne Wang. Starring Ming-Na Wen, Tsai Chin, Lisa Lu and Rosalind Chao. I remember the first time I watched it I was about ten years old. I never sobbed so much after watching a movie. But it made me want to get it a second movie watch after I watched it. It also made me wonder what kind of life my mom had before she had kids and the struggles and victories she had in order to make a life for herself by coming to a new country. I definitely recommend watching this movie at least once or reading the book by Amy Tan.

Fun Fact about this movie: This movie was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry for the Library of Congress in 2020.

Mermaids (1990) directed by Richard Benjamin. Starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci.

I actually did not see this movie until five years ago. But I enjoyed this movie immensely because it seemed like the mother/daughter roles were reverse. Cher playing the role of Mrs. Flax and mother to Charlotte and Kate but she is still trying to figure out life. Never really satisfied with life or the men in that town so she gets bore and moves. It kind of reminds me of the weird period of what you graduate from high school what is your next transition and will it be a successful one? Charlotte Flax played by Winona Ryder plays more of the mother role. She is practically a mother figure to her younger sister and she is more of the stable one between her and mother.

Fun fact about this movie: Winona Ryder was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the movie.

Mommie Dearest (1981) directed by Frank Perry. Starring Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwald and Rutanya Aida.

So there is probably no surprise that this movie is on the list. I have talked about this movie so much that how could I NOT include it? I always watch this movie every year for Mother’s Day for the past 18 years. The first time I saw this movie I was seven years old and I thought that Faye Dunaway was the real Joan Crawford. It took me a good three years to realize that it was an actor portraying Joan Crawford!

Fun fact about this movie: Paramount Presents is re-resealing this movie in June of this year. (And yes I definitely pre-ordered it!!!)

Mother (1996) directed by Albert Brooks. Starring Albert Brooks and Debbie Allen.

When I was 13 years old I had a mild obsession with Albert Brooks. If I had to rank the 3 most watched movies of his it would be 1. Defending Your Life 2. Mother 3. Modern Romance. I tried to share my witty humor and passion of Albert Brooks movies to my classmates but no other kid understood where I was coming from. Forward to now and I am glad that I am able to share my adoration for this movie! I thought this was more of Albert Brooks funnier movies. I know for myself I literally found myself laughing out loud at this movie than others. Albert Brooks plays the lead role. He goes back home to find his roots after a messy divorce and tried really really hard to connect with his mother. Which does not go very smoothly.

Fun Fact about this movie: Debbie Reynolds was not the first choice to play the role of Albert Brooks’s mother. Esther Williams was also in consideration.

Until next time!

Sources: Youtube and Internet Movie Database.