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'Night, Mother

Play trailer Poster for 'Night, Mother PG-13,  1986,  1h 36m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 80% 5 Reviews Tomatometer 100% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Jessie Cates packs her belongings into bags intended for donation to charity. She's doing so because, as she tells her mother, Thelma, she plans to kill herself that very evening. This film, inspired by an esteemed stage production, centers on the interactions between an elderly woman and her daughter, whose depression has pushed her to the brink of suicide. As Jessie steels herself for her last act, Thelma gallantly encourages her to opt for life.

Critics Reviews

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Paul Attanasio Washington Post Jan 3, 2018
Based on Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, it's almost a textbook example of how not to bring Broadway to the screen. Go to Full Review
Michael Bronski Gay Community News (Boston) Sep 19, 2022
While the film is emotionally wrenching, it never becomes an exercise in masochism. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Mar 27, 2021
3/4
...a decent-enough adaptation that generally works best as a showcase for the thoroughly engrossing efforts of its two stars. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Oct 6, 2015
B-
A sobering overwrought drama based on Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Go to Full Review
Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Jul 10, 2003
Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, this drama examines the complex roots of suicide. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Sep 27, 2017 Undeniably one of the best adaptations ever and so well executed by two amazing actresses. The score is so poignant and appropriate and drives the emotion of the audience. See more
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'Night, Mother

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Tom Moore

Director

Sissy Spacek

Jessie Cates

Anne Bancroft

Thelma Cates

Ed Berke

Dawson Cates

Carol Robbins

Loretta Cates

Jennifer Roosendahl

Melodie Cates

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'Night, Mother

'Night, Mother (1986) 'Night, Mother (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jessie Cates packs her belongings into bags intended for donation to charity. She's doing so because, as she tells her mother, Thelma, she plans to kill herself that very evening. This film, inspired by an esteemed stage production, centers on the interactions between an elderly woman and her daughter, whose depression has pushed her to the brink of suicide. As Jessie steels herself for her last act, Thelma gallantly encourages her to opt for life.
Director
Tom Moore
Producer
Aaron Spelling, Alan Greisman
Screenwriter
Marsha Norman
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Aaron Spelling Productions, Blackbird Productions
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$384.0K
Runtime
1h 36m
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