THE BAD MOTHER’S HANDBOOK

UK, 2007, 71 minutes. Colour.
Catherine Tate, Anne Reid, Holly Grainger, Steve John Shepherd, Steve Pemberton, Robert Pattinson, Maggie Ollerenshaw.
Directed by Robin Shepperd.

The Bad Mother’s Handbook is based on a novel by Katie Long, who contributed to the screenplay. It is a portrait of a middle-aged woman, a woman who thinks she is the pillar of the family, yet alienates the people she is with – until she discovers a secret about herself and this transforms her life.

The film is a star vehicle for comedian and impersonator Catherine Tate. She gives a fine performance here, not relying on any of her comic qualities but rather giving great depth to this tormented woman. She is supported very well by Anne Reid (Mother) as her adoptive mother. Holly Grainger is good as the young pregnant daughter. Maggie Ollerenshaw is striking in a sequence where she reveals the truth about her attitude towards her daughters and giving Karen up for adoption. The film is also of interest in seeing Robert Pattinson in a supporting role – some of the abstract dreaminess that he brought to his role of Edward in the Twilight series but still quite different.

The film has a lot to say in its brief running time about British families, relationships and tensions.

1. The title? The comment by Karen Cooper about the mother’s handbook and her not handling the situations well?

2. The British setting, the town, the house? Ordinary people? Ordinary situations?

3. The portrait of Karen Cooper, Catherine Tate’s presence and performance? Her age, at school, the plan to go to Paris, something for herself? Her feeling responsible for the rest of the family? Her relationship with Steve and the estrangement? Her looking after her mother? Her mother and her forgetfulness, dependence? Critical comments? Her concern about her daughter, studies, going to the university, making a success of her life? Her friendship with Leo? The crises, her daughter’s pregnancy, her mother’s deterioration? Her dependence on Leo for support and advice? The romantic entanglements with Steve? Her interest in Daniel and his helping Charlotte? The discovery of the birth certificate? Karen’s dismay, asking her mother, her mother’s inability to tell her the truth? Her going to seek information about her birth mother, the discussions with the woman giving information? Her going to see Jessie Pilkington? The discussions, the death of Claire? Jessie in prison? Her marrying the warden? Karen’s response to the blunt statements by Jessie? Charlotte and going into labour, the phone calls, Karen wanting to get back home? The birth of the baby? The reconciliation with her daughter, with her mother? Her gratitude towards Daniel? Her mother’s collapse, the stroke, Karen wanting to take her home and look after her? The baby? The four generations of women?

4. Nancy, a good mother, bringing up Karen? Not telling her about the adoption? Her manner at home, the bond with Charlie? Her criticisms of Karen? The discovery of the truth? Her supporting Charlie, the birth, her collapse and stroke, in hospital, the reconciliation?

5. Charlotte, her age, her relationship with Paul? The condom, her mother’s suspicions? Her pregnancy? Her being intelligent, the exams, her doing well? Time passing, the clashes with her mother? Befriending Daniel? Going out with him, his looking after her? The visit to Daniel’s parents? The alcoholic mother and her disdain? The doctor father and his help? Charlie going into labour, relying on Daniel? The talk before the birth, the calm, the anguish of the birth? Her love for her daughter? Challenging her mother, refusing to have an abortion, her love for the daughter and wanting to treat her well?

6. Daniel, his parents, moving to the town, dreamy? Intelligent? Discussions with Charlotte, their friendship, helping her out, some clashes? His return, taking her to his parents, his dismay at his parents’ behaviour? Supporting Charlotte during the birth?

7. Steve, man about town, the moustache, his relationship with Karen? His coming to the house? The sexual relationship with Karen? Shaving off his moustache? At the birth, his inability to cope?

8. Leo, the solid friend, loving Karen? Her seeing him as an older brother, adviser?

9. Paul, the relationship with Charlotte? The condom? Callow, abandoning Charlotte?

10. Jessie Pilkington, her history, giving Karen up for adoption, her knowing Nancy and relying on her? Subsequent marriage, neglect of her daughter, the drinking, going to prison? Her hard attitudes and statements to Karen?

11. A film of insight into human nature, families, relationships and tensions? The prevailing atmosphere of love?