'night, Mother
'night, Mother

Movie spotlight

'night, Mother

1986
Movie
96 min
English

A mother and daughter spend a night together after the daughter reveals that she will kill herself by the end of it.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Google Users84%
Director: Tom MooreGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Marsha Norman, 'night, Mother is a poignant drama that unfolds over a single evening. The film centers on Thelma Cates, a mother who learns from her daughter, Jessie, that Jessie has decided to end her life that night. What follows is an intense and emotional exploration of their relationship as Thelma desperately tries to understand and dissuade Jessie from her plan, while Jessie calmly explains her reasons and prepares for her departure.

Critical Reception

‘night, Mother received considerable critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of its lead actresses, Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek. The film was praised for its unflinching and sensitive portrayal of a difficult subject matter, though some critics found its intensity and bleakness challenging. It was a respectable performer at the box office, resonating with audiences moved by its emotional depth.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for the powerful performances of Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek.

  • The film's raw and emotional exploration of suicide was noted for its sensitive handling.

  • Some found the subject matter and unrelenting tone to be emotionally taxing.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a deeply moving and impactful experience, often highlighting the brilliant acting. While many appreciated its honesty and emotional resonance, some viewers found the subject matter to be very heavy and difficult to watch.

Awards & Accolades

Anne Bancroft was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Sissy Spacek also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. The original play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Fun Fact

The film adaptation was shot in 26 days, adhering closely to the stage play's structure and confined setting.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Ziggy

Ziggy

This movie to me brings together a myriad of emotions. The Director handled bringing perspective to it's viewers by building the relationship of mother and daughter together. I found this film to be extremely exposing to weaknesses in ev...