Mother

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2:22

Mother

PG-13

1996

1h 44m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A writer believes the key to solving his many troubles with the opposite sex can be found by retracing the steps of his youth. Science-fiction scribe John Henderson (Albert Brooks) can't find a solid relationship, so he moves back in with his mother, Beatrice (Debbie Reynolds). John means well, and he seems to genuinely believe that a better understanding of his mom will lead to dating success. But when they begin to bicker, both start rethinking the arrangement.

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Critics Consensus

Albert Brooks' pugnacious insight is in fine form throughout Mother, a gentle showcase for the comedic curmudgeon and a sweetly acidic Debbie Reynolds.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Aug 27, 2024

The film is a loving yet obsessive parody of the generational stereotypes that stand between the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Sep 14, 2020

Reynolds's exquisitely calibrated, mercurially comedic performance reveals the stifled passions that inform a lifetime of rigidly refined habits.

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David Edelstein

Slate

Jun 5, 2020

Brooks' minimalism can be amazingly jampacked, but Mother is perilously slack.

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Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

Oct 1, 2024

7/10

There’s nothing groundbreaking about the structure or ideas presented here; however, the film succeeds on the shoulders of Brooks’ charm and charisma.

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Mar 25, 2024

8.5/10

Like Brooks’ best work, there’s an aura of comfort and familiarity, of warmth amidst the neuroses, with a self-effacing acidity underneath.

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Nov 18, 2023

Cleverly turning the self-obsessions of its lead character on its head, Mother is a wry comedy full of insight and unexpected sweetness.

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Scott R

@ScottR Sep 13, 2026

NYT 1000 films. Albert Brooks does some creative things, but not all of them land well. This is one such example, but it still does have some great moments and one liners despite the triviality of certain situations and humor. I identified with his character in certain ways and that made it effective at times, but then he’d go off the deep end by over reacting. Saw on Pluto.

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M F

@RT86557815 Nov 11, 2025

Calm, feel good movie. Decent storyline and nice scenery.

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Leanne M

@Diaminds Aug 22, 2025

One of my favourite movies although he can appear a bit mean to “mother” at times. Some hilarious moments and parts of it are very relatable.

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randumb2020 T

@RT60863052 Aug 12, 2025

I love this movie I never saw it when it first came out back in the day but just happened upon it and it is a sweet funny gem of a movie Albert Brooks and Debbie Reynolds have wonderful mother-son chemistry.

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Mason M

@RT73597940 Sep 7, 2024

Definitely not Brooks's best, but still a fun watch and again proving his talent at writing endings

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Dec 18, 2020

Funny and poignant. Recommended for anyone who has or has had a mother. The negative reviewers obviously have mommy issues.

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Albert Brooks

Director

Albert Brooks

John Henderson

Debbie Reynolds

Beatrice Henderson

Rob Morrow

Jeff Henderson

Lisa Kudrow

Linda

John C. McGinley

Carl

Mother: Official Clip - Sweet Tooth

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Mother: Official Clip - Oedipus Complex

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Mother: Official Clip - Does That Look a Little Green to You?

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Mother: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Move Back in With Mother

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Mother: Official Clip - We Know Why She Hates Me

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Mother: Official Clip - A Trip to the Mall

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Mother: Official Clip - Follow Me

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Mother: Official Clip - Mrs. Henderson

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Mother: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A writer believes the key to solving his many troubles with the opposite sex can be found by retracing the steps of his youth. Science-fiction scribe John Henderson (Albert Brooks) can't find a solid relationship, so he moves back in with his mother, Beatrice (Debbie Reynolds). John means well, and he seems to genuinely believe that a better understanding of his mom will lead to dating success. But when they begin to bicker, both start rethinking the arrangement.

Director: Albert Brooks
Producer: Herb Nanas, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Albert Brooks
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Surround

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