FUN, MOM, DINNER
US, 2017, 81 minutes, Colour.
Katie Astleton, Toni Collette, Bridget Everett, Molly Shannon, Adam Scott, Ron Huebel.
Directed by Alethea Jones.
It is initially surprising to find that this film has an MA rating. As it proceeds, with very frequent coarse language, some quite explicit, as well as sexual gossip and references, the rating seems more relevant.
But, without so much coarse language and sexual references, the story is basically PG, and, despite the night out on the town by the four mothers, it finishes up, like so many American raucous comedies, opting for traditional values, especially for fidelity in marriage, for the family.
The film is in the tradition of the Bad Moms films but, in short running time (and written and directed by women and supported by the central cast) it is a story that harassed and sometimes frustrated mothers will identify with.
There are comparatively few men in the cast, two husbands, two men at the bar in the club, and a rather nerdish bespectacled, non-alcohol-drinking man who could well appear in a sequel marrying the divorcee in the group. There are two husbands, one, Tom (Adam Scott) caught up in his work, apprehensive about parenting his children, not showing affection to his wife. The other, Andrew (Ron Huebel), while still a touch macho, has worked out how to be supportive of his wife and co-raise their four children. The main action for the two men in the film is firstly, at the dinner, where Tom is obtuse; the second where he takes the children to Andrew’s house while his wife has her night out. They have quite some discussion about how they function as husbands and fathers, recognising the needs of their wives.
While the film shows some action around the school, introducing the four mothers and their families as well as interactions of friendship at the school and also some clashes with the traffic supervisor, the main part of the film is the night on the town.
Katie Aselton is Emily, the younger mother, marriage to her high school sweetheart, he becoming more insensitive and job occupied over the years. She has been befriended by Katie, Toni Collette being raucous, who has four children, has the loving husband, clashes with Melanie (Bridget Everett) a strong-minded big and buxom traffic supervisor who, of course, we will see has something of a heart of gold. The fourth mother is divorced, played by Molly Shannon. Emily persuades Katie to come with her to the night out even though she is quite reluctant – but, after a clash with Melanie and a meeting of minds, she joins in with gusto.
This gives the four of them opportunity to indulge in some women behaving badly, initially fighting amongst themselves, then the drinks, then the smoking and the drugs, driving around the town, stopping for drinks at a bar, Emily attracted by the man behind the bar and going off with him, alarming the others who get caught up in the karaoke enthusiasm and then have to go to try to find Emily (with the nerdish man driving the car and helping with the search).
Meanwhile at home, the kids are watching television, a crying baby is put on a swing outside and immediately goes to sleep, the door slams and the men are locked out. However, Katie’s husband is tracking her on his phone and is aware of what is going on.
By the end, the girls have confided in each other, have enjoyed their night on the town, experienced some freedom – which is visualised the next morning as they are all friendly school.
On the one hand, a pity about the language for many ordinary mothers watching the film – and on the other hand, it may be reflective of how some of the mothers think and feel.
