Mother's Day Movie

The buzz is out about Garry Marshall's Mother's Day Movie. The movie is in theaters now. I saw the movie a bit early. I was invited to a media screening prior to the official movie release date. I was VERY excited about Mother's Day. This was a movie that I wanted to fall in love with. I had thoughts of taking my sister and my mom! I wanted celebrate the "mother of all holidays". That just didn't happen for me. I think that I will make other plans...

The movie is packed with a star-studded ensemble. Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and Jason Sudeikis. I'm a sucker for Pretty Little Liars so I was excited to see that Shay Miller was in this one! Let's not forget Hector Elizondo, Timothy Olyphant, Britt Robertson, and Jack Whitehall. The actors were great. The movie, to me, not so great.




I don't want to give away too much because you really need to see for yourself. You may have plans to take your mom to see it. I don't want to squash your plans. I may be WAY off on this movie. Please don't let me sway you. I am still processing my thoughts on this one. I might have to see it again as I feel like I missed something. What did I miss? Was it great and I just didn't catch it?

Simply put: I didn't love it.  There were parts that I liked.  My husband didn't like it much at all - and he can appreciate a good rom-com.  I just didn't have a great experience. I didn't laugh like I thought I would. I didn't run home and tell my sister that we HAVE to go see it together once it is out. For me it was pretty flat. Perhaps my expectations were just too high.

My less than stellar review could be due to a headache on the night of the screening. It could also be that my movie experience was affected by the annoyed feeling that I carried because the lady in front of me decided to be super-generous in applying her gardenia perfume. Seriously, I was nauseous. It was overpowering. Distracting. I wish that I followed the lead of the nice woman sitting next to me. She was smart and moved a few rows away. Oh, she might have still smelled it anyway. I'm not sure if a seat change would have made the comedy bits more funny.

I understand that inclusion is a great thing. I can appreciate that the movie depicts many types of moms:  divorced/single mom, same sex moms, young mom, expectant mom, Mr. Mom (a widower), mom in a mixed raced marriage, a brand new step mom, grandmothers, gym moms, working mom - you get it ALL sorts of moms. That's GREAT! I did NOT expect to see racist, homophobic mom... Sure, I get it that this type of mom exists out there. It brought some brutal honesty to the mix. I just didn't prepare myself for that. I was caught a bit off guard and can't say that I enjoyed seeing that. I am happy that it turned around for the best in the end. Just don't be shocked (like I was) when that comes up on the big screen.

There were some definite highlights for me. I am a fan Pretty Little Liars, so watching Shay Miller was a treat. I am also a fan of the TV Series Life Unexpected. I loved Britt Robertson as Lux Cassidy in the series. I was thrilled to see her on the big screen. Julia Roberts and Hector Elizondo: I LOVE the homage to Pretty Woman. You'll see. It's subtle but awesome.

I may have just expected way too much. I honestly wanted to laugh to the point that I could be in an LBL commercial. This movie wasn't "almost pee in your pants a little from laughing too hard" funny. I even wanted to cry a little. I did shed a tear, so there are touching moments. I must admit that I giggled here and there. I think that I even LOL'd once. It just wasn't as funny as I wished it would be. I did enjoy Jason Sudeikis' salmon colored pants and karaoke version of "The Humpty Dance". Or maybe The Humpy Dance just brought back nostalgic memories for me...

As I mentioned, my husband attended the movie screening with me. I couldn't get much out of him for an opinion. It went unsaid but I do know that he wished I brought my sister or a friend instead. I know him well and he didn't like it.

Maybe I need to see it again to appreciate it. Please let me know what you think when you see it.

Don't get me wrong I didn't hate the movie. I even liked it little. I just didn't LOVE it.