Mother’s Day (released in theaters on April 29, 2016) serves as a sprawling, sentimental tapestry of intersecting lives in Atlanta, all converging as the titular holiday approaches.
The plot weaves together several narrative threads: Sandy (Jennifer Aniston) is a stressed-out divorcee struggling to cope when her ex-husband suddenly remarries a much younger woman; Jesse (Kate Hudson) and Gabi (Sarah Chalke) are sisters hiding massive secrets from their conservative parents; and Kristin (Britt Robertson) is a young mother who was adopted and feels a deep need to find her birth mother before committing to her own partner.
Meanwhile, Bradley (Jason Sudeikis) is a grieving widower trying to navigate the first Mother’s Day for his daughters since his wife’s passing. As these characters navigate various comedic misunderstandings, sudden reunions, and emotional breakthroughs, the film explores the multifaceted nature of motherhood—be it biological, adoptive, or the struggle of those left behind.
Aniston leads the ensemble with her signature relatable warmth as Sandy, providing the film’s most grounded emotional beats.
Hudson and Julia Roberts – the latter sporting a memorable blunt bob as a home-shopping mogul – bring seasoned star power to their respective storylines, while Sudeikis offers a poignant performance as a father out of his depth after the death of his wife Dana (Jennifer Garner).
The supporting cast is equally great, featuring Timothy Olyphant, Héctor Elizondo and Jack Whitehall who all contribute to the breezy, feel-good atmosphere.
Margo Martindale, Robert Pine, Jon Lovitz and Larry Miller round out the cast.
Under the veteran direction of Garry Marshall, the film maintains a brisk pace that balances slapstick humor with the earnest, heart-tugging moments that defined Marshall’s prolific career.
Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts in Mother’s Day (Photo/Open Road Films)
Reception for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day grossed $8.4 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.
The film would gross $48.8 million worldwide.
Legacy
Mother’s Day‘s legacy is primarily defined as the final installment in Garry Marshall’s informal “holiday” trilogy, following Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
It stands as a nostalgic bookend to the career of one of Hollywood’s most successful directors of romantic comedy, encapsulating his penchant for large, star-studded ensembles and optimistic storytelling.
While it was released during a shift toward more cynical humor, the movie has found a lasting place as a staple of holiday television programming and a favorite for family viewing.
Mother’s Day is rooted in its unabashed sincerity and its ability to gather an incredible amount of A-list talent for a singular, lighthearted purpose.
It is remembered as a gentle celebration of family bonds and a testament to the enduring appeal of the ensemble rom-com format that Marshall helped perfect over several decades in the industry.
