MUM’S LIST

UK, 2016, 101 minutes, Colour.

Rafe Spall, Emilia Fox, Elaine Cassidy, William Stagg, Matthew Stagg, Richard Cordery, Susan Jameson, Ross MacCormack, Sophie Simnett, Bobby Lockwood.

Directed by Niall Johnson.

Mom’s List is a moving British drama, a true story, based on a book by St John Greene, the widower of Kate, who died of breast cancer, a book in collaboration with their friend, Rachel Murphy.

The centre of the film is Kate’s diagnosis of breast cancer, encouragement that it could be controlled, the various stages of chemotherapy, the news that there would be no improvement, her preparation for death. A happy woman, caring for her two sons, experiencing the anguish of the older boy’s cancer before he was six. She has bonded for many years with Singe. There are many scenes showing their life together, happy times, the bonding with their children, happy scenes at the beach.

The film focuses on Singe, played by Rafe Spall, Kate played by Emilia Fox. Singe is a devoted husband, a caring father during his wife’s illness, and, especially, after her death. He tries to put into practice all the notes and advice she left for him, her list. There is a sequence of pathos with Emilia Fox talking to camera, offering all her suggestions and advice for what is to happen after she dies.

There is support for Singed and the boys from a friend from teenage, Rachel, as well is from families.

(This reviewer identified especially with the film, having had the same kind of experience in the 1940s, mother dying, father surviving, two brothers having to cope. However, in those days, there were few visits to the hospital giving some memories but the two boys 7 and 5 at the time. And children did not go to funerals in those days. And, religiously, the anniversary of the mother’s death could be seen as the equivalent of a saint’s feast day in the church. It is interesting to note that in this film, her memory is preserved in much the same way with a celebration of Mothers’ Day.)

Mum’s List can be recommended for its feeling, its empathy towards the dying mother, its presentation of a supportive father, the role of the boys. Audiences will be moved.

1. The title? The American title, Kate’s comment, Acres and Acres?
2. The British setting, the town, home, hospitals, the beach, the coast? The musical score?
3. True story, the personal memoir, Singe and the story of Kate’s illness, death, children, the experience and survival?
4. The structure of the film: Kate and her diagnosis, consultations with the doctor, seeming improvement, decline, hospital, death; the flashbacks to Kate and Singe as teenagers, meeting, falling in love; the flashbacks to Reef’s cancer and coping; the flashbacks to the happy life of the family, outings, meals, sharing; the aftermath of Kate’s death, the funeral, Singe as the single father, the boys and their ages, the bonds, having to cope, Singe and his sadness, but supporting the boys? Rachel, a device, the prospect of going out and socialising again?
5. Kate, strong woman, the teenager, with Singe, Rachel and the photo, the mementos? Pregnancy, birth, coping with Reefs cancer? Love for Singe, preparing for death, preparing all the notes? The monologue sequence with her wishes for Singe and the boys?
6. Singe, middle-aged, memories of teenage, a life with Kate, the boys, Reef’s cancer, her diagnosis, his coping, support? His grief, the funeral, the aftermath, sadness in himself, the mementos, helping with the boys, putting into practice Mums List?
7. Rachel, friendship from the past, her support, advice, Singe to go out again (and remove the tie)?
8. Singe, friends with Bobby, the meetings and discussions? His family, the gatherings? The final gathering, celebrating Mothers’ Day as a memento? The family photo?