For Mature Moms

I am extremely critical of things that are designed to entertain an audience. Often the “critics” will just love a movie, book, play, musical, song- whatever, but I almost never agree (see my post on the top eighties band concerts).

I have found though, that among my friends, most of whom are mature moms or just mature awesome smart ladies, we agree that the movies below meet our strict criteria for being entertaining.

These criteria include at least one of these qualities:

• Smart and well written
• Well-acted
• Characters and stories that resonate with us

Most, if not all on this list, include all three. They make us laugh, cry and actually care about the characters so that we feel like we’re living the story with them.

Now that the weather’s getting cooler and the evenings darker, what better time to grab some popcorn and a glass of wine, and enjoy a great film (see my post on cozy, fall movie nights)!

Top Movies in Alpha Order

Argo. It has all the elements of a great movie, in my opinion. A true and very relatable story where you actually care what happens to people. Suspenseful, (ie situations that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat), and the perfect amount of humor thrown in by lovable actors like Allan Arkin and John Goodman. The movie leaves you cheering at the end, and not in a corny way.

Bridges of Madison County. This story is, again, relatable, and why this is a list specifically for older moms and ladies. I feel like the story could be cliche, but it’s not at all. Just the acting alone is reason to watch this, but the depth of the angst and feelings regarding choices made in these relationships is so touching. I was crying SO hard.

Easy A. Let’s just say that when I heard the title and subject matter of this movie, I immediately said no to even my daughters watching it. Then I thought, “ok, I’ll watch it through before I give my approval”, and when I did, I immediately said “you are totally ok watching this”. What a clever, witty, and sensible spin on teenage peer pressure. It honestly puts it in great perspective. I found it so funny that I quote parts of the movie to this day. I can see why this made Emma Stone a star. Check out this clip.

A Fish Called Wanda. I saw this so long ago now, I mean it’s from 1988! But it stuck with me as one of my favorites. It is the silliest movie that takes you through the crazy antics of a jewel heist with Monty Python actors we know and love, as well as other lovable and very funny characters.

The Grand Budapest Hotel. I won’t say I typically love Wes Anderson movies. They can be a bit TOO quirky. But this one has just the right amount of quirkiness. It’s a wild and crazy ride and so worth seeing. In fact, you have to see it multiple times to get the full effect of how hilarious it is. Incredible acting, especially by Ralph Fiennes.

Love Actually. Yes, my husband makes fun of me for watching this every Christmas, but I must. I’m a lover of short stories, and the way these stories are woven together with characters that you (mostly) love makes sense and is so much fun. The stories are about all kinds of love-from infatuation, to long time married partners, to friends. You have to love the beginning in the airport.

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere.

Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister -Love Actually

Mulan.

Hands down my favorite cartoon, if you’re in the mood for one. One of the few Disney movies I was more than happy to have my children watch over and over. Female empowerment, great characters and songs, and just overall well done and positive messaging for little girls.

Sophie’s Choice. I have a few tear jerkers on this list and this is one for sure. But the horrific, unimaginable choice Sophie makes in Hitler’s Germany, although incredibly sad, is mixed into a modern day story of friendship and even greater sadness in some ways. It is so touching and heartbreaking at the same time.

Step Mom. This is one that I would not have gravitated toward if I only saw the plot. It sounded a little too “rom com”, i.e. modern day themed with a feud between a mom and step-mom regarding the kids. Ugh. This was a time when Julia Roberts was doing these kinds of movies, so I was turned off entirely, until a friend gave me a review.

I’m leaving this on the list for mature moms, because as a mom I could only imagine/put myself in the position of Susan Sarandon’s character (the mom), thinking of another woman taking my place with my kids after I was gone. Argh. I cried and cried. If you are a mother and need a good cry, this is your movie. And warning, do NOT watch it with your kids!

The Hours. This is a another awesome one for women because the characters span different eras and lifetimes, yet all struggle with keeping up appearances and doing the ‘right’ thing as women and moms while wresting with their own struggles and demons. I personally love an in-depth character study, and this has stories like that of Virginia Woolf and modern day women doing the best they can. Great acting, too.

Trainwreck. I have mentioned Amy Schumer’s book, The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, as being on my Summer Reading List for Mature Moms (see the post here). I find her humor to be direct, honest, dry, and self-deprecating in a way that I think many women can relate to.

The movie is really an autobiography with raunchy and silly stuff she did in her twenties. But it’s done with incredible humor, with some meaningful and sad things too, that all help her grow up and mature.

Do you have some favorite movies that mature moms would love? Share them with us!