Mother’s Day – Blu-ray Review

Mom

Director Garry Marshall is an icon of classic American TV. For decades, his creations entertained and provided laughter to millions with the 50s-based sitcom, Happy Days and it’s multitude of spin-offs that included Laverne & Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi, and Mork & Mindy. He also helped develop the Neil Simon play The Odd Couple into a what would become another classic TV series of the 70s.

Along with this impressive list of shows, Marshall also directed the Julia Roberts/Richard Gere hit Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries and its sequel, Runaway Bride, and most recently the holiday-themed flicks Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and his final film, Mother’s Day.

Sadly, Marshall passed away in July of 2016, but his body of work will live on in his memory. His final directing endeavor, Mother’s Day, reunited him once again with long-time collaborator Julia Roberts along with an impressive list of comedic actors including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Jason Sudeikis, and Margo Martindale.

The film centers around a chaotic week for all involved leading up to the mom-centric day that was proclaimed an official holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. What follow is a series of interwoven narratives – each one with a connection to the others – that eventually collide in a heartwarming finale that is befitting of a film with motherly love as its driving force.

While I’m not generally a fan of these types of movies, there are some genuinely funny moments that had me laughing out loud, and with such a talented cast it’s hard not to enjoy Mother’s Day for its ability to bring great actors together.

Chief among them are Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis who have appeared together in Horrible Bosses, Horrible Bosses 2, and We’re the Millers. They have fantastic on-screen chemistry, and I wish they would do a rom-com together along the same lines as a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film like Sleepless in Seattle or You’ve Got Mail (something original, please. No need to remake either film, and besides You’ve Got Mail is already a remake of the film The Shop Around the Corner).

Also of note is the storyline involving Kate Hudson and Margo Martindale who plays her hardcore right-wing mama from Texas. Martindale is a hoot in the role, and the entire situation involving Hudson’s character, her sister (played by Sarah Chalke), and their families is pretty amusing.

Mother’s Day has something for everyone and if you’re looking for a film that’s safe to watch with your mom, this one is pretty tame and won’t leave you scrambling for the remote or the mute button.

Special features include Deleted Scenes and a Gag Reel.

For some mom-friendly entertainment, check out Mother’s Day on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download now!

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