With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching on Sunday, we thought it would be a nice idea to celebrate all of the wonderful mothers out there in the world of film – particularly those for children. After all, they are the ones who are learning to look up to their parents and a good place to start is with the mothers of the film world.
The upcoming movie, THE BOSS BABY got us thinking about how patient the parents are in the movie and with the film out in cinemas on April 7th, we thought we would celebrate all of the wonderful Mum’s in children’s films. We are spoilt for choice in terms of who makes the cut for our Best Mothers In Film feature, but we have managed to whittle it down to select few which you can see below.
Elastigirl in The Incredibles (2004)
Where do we even start with Helen Parr (aka Elastgirl)?! She is definitely a super-wise mother and not a lot gets past her. She may be a retired stretchy superhero and understandably suspicious wife, but she certainly brings the perfect moral compass to the movie in the animated adventure by Brad Bird. Voiced by Holly Hunter, we love to see such a strong and intelligent mother on the big screen who is always such a constant pleasure to watch.
Mrs Weasley in the Harry Potter films (2001-2009)
Thank you to J.K Rowling for bringing such a wonderful and brave woman to life in both the books and on the big screen too. She’s brought up six children, she is a great cook – and she also puts up with a very busy and crazy family. Furthermore, she is pretty handy with her magic wand too. A great role model for many and a definite must for our Best Mothers in Film feature.Â
The Boss Baby (2017)
Oh, how we love this film! Lisa Kudrow’s Mother handles the pressure of being a full-time Mum, busy wife and mother of two perfectly – especially when it involves a new arrival which has caused quite the stir in the house, particularly with her eldest son,….
Whatever stress is thrown her way, she simply deals with it. A great mother in a film – and utterly likeable too! Make this film your must-see when it hits the big screen in April, you won’t be disappointed.
The Queen in Brave (2012)
How has it been 5 years since this animated movie was released? Both mother and daughter in this film are strong-willed, determined characters, but utterly fearless! Determined to change her fate and escape anything resembling an arranged marriage, Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) feeds her mother (voiced by Emma Thompson) a biscuit cooked up by a decidedly dodgy witch. Result? The queen turns into a bear, which not only gives her an entirely new perspective on motherhood, but also comes in handy during a tough fight. Lovely bonding moments between the parent and child – and more importantly, she isn’t afraid to admit that maybe she was wrong at the start of the film…
Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast (animation and 2017 live-animation)Â
Beauty and the Beast is certainly making something of a resurgence particularly with the new generation who are unfamiliar with the animation the first time around, thanks to the new live-animation starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. Despite Belle and the grumpy and sometimes difficult Beast being the focal point of the film, let’s not forget the happy ending does also come about thanks to the wonderful Mrs Potts, who is performed superbly by Emma Thompson in the new movie. Ever supportive of her son Chip, she is also responsible for keeping together the rest of the enchanted household and is more than patient with the Beast despite his selfish ways causing the curse to begin with. What a generous mother and person she is!
Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
Ok, technically Julie Andrews’s Maria von Trapp is not the biological mother of the family, but she is a cracking step-mother to all of the children – and we mean ALL. There are so many! Her life was not destined to be a nun, but she is certainly the best thing to happen to Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl. The movie shows how step-mums are just as integral within a family and have as much love to offer. We love her character!
Peg, Edward Scissorhands
What a lady! How can anyone not love Peg in Edward Scissorhands? She really does have such a good, kind and innocent disposition, who opened up her home (and heart)Â to the very strange Edward. Others feared him; she loved him and for that, we love her too – for looking beyond his exterior and rather large scissorhands! The ‘never judge a book by its cover’ moral shines true in this one thanks to the wonderful Peg.
Mrs Jumbo – Dumbo (1941)
Elephants are just the most adorable, gentle creatures anyway, but throw in Mrs Jumbo and her love for Dumbo and you can melt even the coldest of hearts! Could there be a more heartbreaking moment in the film than when they are both so cruelly separated? Someone pass us a tissue and then fast forward to the end of the movie where they are reunited once more. Oh, how we love that moment. A bond between mother and child really is a beautiful thing, so how fitting to leave our feature on this film with that final thought.
Who is your favourite mother in film? Which film/mother character do you love the most? Sound off and have your say in our comment box below.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you lovely lot from Film and TV Now – and don’t forget to spoil your loved ones rotten on Sunday!
