04 · 01 · 13 "Unconventional" mother figures in film Share with twitter Share with facebook Share with mail Copy to clipboard Ma. Cristina Alemán, editora web (@mcristina) With this in mind, I’ve decided that the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day is by remembering the best “unconventional” mothers from the movies; those who cuddle us to death, refuse to keep within the healthy boundaries, and drive us crazy with their excessive attentions. I would use more colorful adjectives to describe them, but my mom (who is probably reading this), would not like it. It is safest to go right into the examples. New York Stories (1989) by Woody Allen: On the way to her own funeral, Sheldon’s (Woody Allen) mother makes biting comments about her son’s driving, yelling from the casket in a screechy and insistent tone. Later, sitting in the pyschoanalists’ chair, Sheldon sighs “I love her, but I wish she would disappear”. Psycho (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock: Norman Bates is a good son. He runs the family business and takes care of his aging mother, who he describes as his best friend. It could be said that Norman does everything for her… Mamá nos quita los novios (1952) by Roberto Rodríguez: “No man escapes me”, exclaims Amadora while she gets ready for a date. For this flirty mother, the last thing a woman should lose is her ability to attract a lover, even if it’s her daughter’s. Freaky Friday (1976) by Gary Nelson: What is the best way to understand you mother? By putting yourself in her shoes, of course. Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster swap bodies in the original version of Freaky Friday, creating many magical moments of mother-daughter empathy. Serial Mom (1994) by John Waters: Kathleen Turner plays the part of a mother so exemplary she would do anything (and use any weapon necessary) to assure the wellbeing of her little ones.
