Mother's Day Films
May 4, 2007

How do you say thank you to someone who never tires of hard work, offering endless love, or the patient faith to believe one day you'll amount to something? Flowers, perfume, hand drawn pictures and even heartfelt sentiments hardly seem to be enough. In an effort to pay tribute to mothers, we've found a few movies that portray exemplary women and motherhood. We hope you will enjoy sharing them with your mom on this special day.

Who can make it through the opening ten minutes of The Prince of Egypt without having their heartstrings pulled? It is particularly moving to watch that mother (even if she is animated) place her baby in a basket, set it afloat on the Nile and sing, "My son, I have nothing I can give but this chance that you may live... I pray we'll meet again." This retelling of the Biblical story of Moses offers an incredible example of a mother's faith and courage... and the impact those traits have on her child, and a nation.

Total devotion to preserving her child's life is also demonstrated in the flashback introducing The Hunchback of Notre Dame -- a child accused of having "a face only a mother could love."

A mother of four daughters does the best she can to keep home a sanctuary where the girls can create, love, and learn -- even though her husband is away serving in the American Civil War. Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, Little Women has graced the silver screen numerous times. Check out the 1949 version starring a young Elizabeth Taylor, or the 1995 adaptation with Wynona Ryder.

What would you do if you discovered your unborn child would be destined to a life of physical hardship? In Follow The Stars Home Dianne exhibits the most self-sacrificing love by setting out to provide all that she can for her disabled daughter, even though her husband chooses to flee his responsibilities and abandons them both. With the support of her mother and brother-in-law, and a young girl who works as a mother's helper, Dianne finds she can not only carry this burden, but when it comes to love and service, it really is "more blessed to give than receive."

True devotion to a disabled child is what The Brooke Ellison Story is all about. After a car accident leaves eleven-year-old Brooke paralyzed from the neck down, her mother becomes her constant companion, medical care giver and study buddy. Thanks to her support, the child whose prognosis was to live out her days in a vegetative state goes on instead to become a Harvard Graduate. Directed by Christopher Reeve, the 2005 DVD release of this made-for-TV movie also includes an interview with the real Brooke Ellison and her dedicated mom.

When Augusto and Michaela Odone discover their son has a rare and fatal disease, they are unwilling to sit by as adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) claims their child's life. Based on a true story, Lorenzo's Oil chronicles the couple's efforts to find a cure. This film examines the heroic lengths love will go to, as well as the power of determination and resolve. The faithful dedication of Michaela to Lorenzo will touch the hearts of parents everywhere.

If ever there were a perfect mother, it would be The Sound Of Music's Maria... even though she isn't the birth parent. Struggling with her apparent failure at conforming to convent life, the young novice accepts a job as governess for the Von Trapp family, and promptly finds her true vocation. Although most of us who have experienced real parenthood realize making everything right is a little more difficult than just "remembering your favorite things," few would disagree that building a family is "a dream that will take all the love you can give, every day of your life, for as long as you live." This sentimental musical is a reminder that achieving such a goal is worth "climbing every mountain."

On the other hand, the single, career girl in the movie Raising Helen is the last person anyone would pick as a mother---except for her older sister Lindsey. And that proves to be a big problem when Lindsey's optimistic confidence combines with her untimely death and leaves Helen as the legal guardian of her three children. One thing is certain though, as this newly formed family tries to define itself, there will be a lot of growing-up going on.

Sarah, Plain And Tall follows the story of a mail order bride. Before saying, "I do," to her pen-pal, the east coast residing spinster travels to the Midwest prairies to meet the widower, and consider what life would be like as the mother of his two small children. But being a stranger, both to the family and the farm, proves less of an obstacle than finding a place in their still grieving hearts. The tale is anything but plain in demonstrating the power of commitment, acceptance and love. The sequel, Skylark, focuses on the trials faced when the sapling marriage and meager farm are faced with a severe draught. Sarah's struggles and triumphs demonstrate the strength and courage that being a wife and mother demands.

Anne Of Green Gables is an orphan seeking the home of her dreams. The reality of the nightmare she has endured, due to shuffling through foster families and orphanages, changes on the fateful day she is sent to the Cuthbert house. Unfortunately her initial introduction to Matthew and Marilla gets off to a rocky start, mostly because they were expecting a boy, but also because Anne's temper matches her fiery hair. Although crisis and hilarity seem to follow in her footsteps, the neglected child's adoption into the world of Green Gables helps her discover kindred spirits are not as rare as she once believed they were. The mother/daughter relationship that develops between Marilla and Anne poignantly illustrates the growth that occurs in the lives of both children and parents.

So after the kids and Dad are finished cooking the dinner, and washing the dishes, fire up the DVD player and relax on the couch with a movie that will bring "mom" back into the center of the picture.

Donna Gustafson

Besides writing this column for the Parents Television Council, Rod Gustafson authors Parent Previews® - a newspaper and Internet column (published in association with movies.com) that reviews movies from a parent's perspective. He's also the film critic for a major Canadian TV station, various radio stations and serves on the executive of the Alberta Association for Media Awareness. Finally, his most important role is being the father to four wonderful children and husband to his beautiful wife (and co-worker) Donna.

Parenting and the Media by Rod Gustafson

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org

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