A mother of a film
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annie Mumolo, Jay Hernandez, Lilly Singh, Oona Laurence, Emjay Anthony
An overworked mother of two, Amy (Mila Kunis) is constantly left stretched between her children, work and PTA meetings, to the point of exhaustion. Not helping things are the fact she caught her husband (David Walton) cheating on her through an internet relationship. Fed up, she joins forces with Kiki (Kristen Bell), a stay at home mother of four, and Carla (Kathryn Hahn), a laid-back mother, to go on a wild, un-mom like binge. They get a long overdue experience of freedom, fun and self-indulgence, which puts Amy on a collision course with Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate), the domineering head of the PTA.
Mila Kunis portrays the overworked and overwhelmed mother, merely in need of taking a step back and cutting loose a bit. A character arc which feels a bit worn out by now, but Kunis' portrayal sells her characters struggles, and ensures we're rooting for her. Kristen Bell is instantly lovable as the stay at home mother, who's in need of a few friends to enjoy her days with. Some reference is made as to her husband being controlling, which is never addressed, only rearing it's head once more to be haphazardly dealt with.Portraying the typically irresponsible and brash character, Kathryn Hahn brings a lovable charm and genuine humour to the character, who could've easily been a cookie cutter version of characters portrayed by Zach Galifianakis and Rebel Wilson. But whenever these three actresses share the screen, they light up the picture, and being in their presence makes for a wonderful time. Christina Applegate clearly relishes her antagonistic role, while third act revelations ensures her character isn't merely two dimensional. Jada Pinkett Smith might as well have not been included, considering how little she impacts any part of the film.
While the scenes of mothers acting raunchy can be rather humorous, one can feel the wheels turning at many points throughout, particularly during a drunken shopping trip. The picture also falls down the same trap as many comedies before it, referencing popular culture in a manner which feels massively forced, Game of Thrones and Fifty Shades of Grey in particular.
As the credits roll, footage plays of cast members and their mothers recanting childhood tales. These moments do a great job of emphasising what the picture is: an ode to mothers everywhere, and the hard work they commit for our benefit. It also helps that Bad Moms is rather funny.
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