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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Powerhouse Performances, January 4, 2010
It's a shame that "'Night, Mother" (1986) isn't currently available on DVD in a U.S.-friendly format. Adapted by Marsha Norman from her own Pulitzer Prize-winning stage drama, the film stars Anne Bancroft as Thelma Cates and Sissy Spacek as her daughter Jessie, who basically has to run her mother's life. About ten minutes in, Jessie matter-of-factly reveals that this will change, because she's decided to shoot herself on this particular night. She does not immediately disclose why. The remainder of the film consists of Jessie calmly explaining to Thelma how to manage her own affairs, while Thelma goes through a rainbow of emotions trying to come to terms with her daughter's decision.
Norman and director Tom Moore have done little to open up this story from its stage origins. The camera never really leaves the house, and except from a distance or over a phone, we never hear or see anyone else besides these two characters. The filmic claustrophobia might have been intentional, however, as a visual punctuation of Jessie's cramped existence, and at any rate it's a small gripe when balanced against the tour-de-force acting that we get to witness. It would be difficult to overrate Spacek, who has now spent 40 years giving one amazing performance after another, while Bancroft was always a bit underrated, too often labeled as simply a gifted comedienne. She was much more, and this film offers abundant proof. As we watch her navigate a tidal wave of emotional highs and lows, swinging from anger to frustration to hope to reproof in an en effort to change Jessie's mind, her talent is such that we feel ourselves riding the wave right along with her. Spacek, meanwhile, deftly balances her mother's expected hysteria and maintains her resolve, while slowly but surely opening up small doors that reveal her motivations to end her own life. When the moment of truth finally arrives, it is shattering even while expected.
Long overdue for an American release. If it comes on cable, don't miss it.
Trivia Side Note: When the play originally ran on Broadway in 1983, Kathy Bates played the part of Jessie and received a Tony nomination. It would be fascinating to see her now play the part of Thelma. She's tailor-made for it.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Dialogue, July 26, 2010
This review is from: 'night, Mother (DVD)
Orinally a Pulitzer Prize winning play written by Marsha Norman, this film was produced by Aaron Spelling in 1986. Anne Bancroft (God Rest her Soul) was a fabulous actress. She brings an element of talent to every film she has been in, completely transforming the film from good to WOW. Add Sissy Spacek to the mix and you have (in my opinion)one of the greatest films to come out of the 80s era of great film. This movie takes place in a small house in the country. The dialogue had to be good to pull this off and these two actresses did a great job. This movie is about Jessie a troubled woman, who decides that she does not want to endure life anymore. She prepares for her suicide and discusses it with her mother while catching up on household chores, drinking hot coco and sitting at the breakfast table. Listen to what she says, her words are so profound, so moving and saddly real. I watch this movie over and over, understanding Jessie and feeling so very sorry for her mother. Great movie, its all about the dialogue, listen and you will love this film.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Night Mother ( A reason to live?), June 10, 2010
This review is from: 'night, Mother (DVD)
Night Mother is a movie that todays main stream movie goer is not likely to sit still for. It is a brutally honest depiction of a woman who feels she has run out of reasons or a purpose to live and has made the decision to end her life. Portrayed by Sissy Spacek who plays Jessie her performance is truly heart rendering but also courageous. Jessie lives with her mother portrayed by Anne Bancroft who also delivers a powerhouse performance as a mother who is desparately trying to understand how her adult child could have arrived at such a decision and how she might help her to change her mind. Jessie has put much thought into her decision and all the lose ends she feels she needs to tend to before departing this life. The film begins on the evening that Jessie has chosen as her last. The evening unfolds as Jessie informs her mother of her deision and what is going to be required of her mother once she is gone. As the night winds down we the audience are allowed into Jessie's world and the events and her loss of dreams that has led her to this dark place. Suicide is one of our cultures last unspeakable taboo's. No matter what one's personal feelings or convictions are regarding suicide. This is a brutally honest and compelling glimpse into the life of someone who feels she no longer has any quality of life and who feels that she no longer has any direction over her life except for this final act. While many viewers will state they cannot imagine ever being in this situation they should heed caution because this could be any one of us if fate should deal an unkind hand. In it's own unique way "Night Mother" is actually life affirming.
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