Mrs Lowry & Son
Mrs Lowry & Son

Movie spotlight

Mrs Lowry & Son

2019
Movie
91 min
English

An intimate portrayal of the relationship between one of greatest artists of the 20th century, L.S. Lowry and his unhappy and controlling mother, Elizabeth, whom he lived with all his life.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes60%
Metacritic55/100
Google Users76%
Director: Adrian NobleGenres: Biography, Drama

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the complex and often fraught relationship between the artist L.S. Lowry and his overbearing mother, Elizabeth. Set in the early 20th century in industrial northern England, it depicts Lowry's struggles to pursue his artistic passion while being stifled by his mother's constant disapproval and attempts to control his life. The narrative explores the profound psychological impact of their dynamic on Lowry's art and personal development.

Critical Reception

Mrs. Lowry & Son received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While many praised the performances of Timothy Spall and Vanessa Redgrave, and appreciated the film's attempt to delve into the artist's personal life, some found the narrative to be somewhat understated or lacking in dramatic depth. The film was noted for its atmospheric portrayal of the era and its sensitive handling of a difficult mother-son relationship.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is elevated by strong central performances, particularly from Spall and Redgrave.

  • It offers a poignant, albeit somber, exploration of the artist's formative struggles.

  • Some critics felt the pacing was too slow and the drama lacked intensity.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally found the film to be a moving and well-acted portrayal of a significant artist's relationship with his mother. Many appreciated the historical setting and the emotional depth of the performances, though some commented that it was a quiet film and perhaps not for everyone.

Fun Fact

The film marks one of Vanessa Redgrave's final major roles before her retirement from acting.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This plods along in an almost Alan Bennett-esque fashion. It doesn't ever catch fire, but is well written and does seem to accurately reflect the routine and repetitive way of life for both Lowry and his largely bedridden mother. The princi...

Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

It doesn't always work, but I figure and movie with Timothy Spall in it is worth a look. Mrs. Lowry and Son is one of those slowly paced movies that you have to let roll over you and be patient. The two characters are not always likable and...

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