The Underrated Genre of Mother-Son Films
In the broader scope of cinema, the scope covering mothers and sons has come to be neglected, in that regard thanks to the more cinematic priorities often associated with the father and children relationships. But when these relationships are presented, they shed a lot of light on how men are raised and the connections that they share with their mothers. While many films explore father-son or mother-daughter dynamics, mother-son films remain a less explored, yet profoundly emotional, genre. Darren Thornton’s second feature film, “Four Mothers,” is a perfect example of this often-overlooked relationship, blending humor, wisdom, and heartache in a touching and subtly powerful way.
Dominating mother-son storyline, “Four Mothers” might come across as an unremarkable picture of a family of four, but the audience will be pleasantly surprised by its heartbreaking narrative scope. Within the first few minutes, the film comfortably takes its place among the best depictions of the mother-son bond. James McArdle plays protagonist Edward, an author who has an old and physically impaired mother, Alma who is played by Fionnula Flanagan. In one of the early scenes of the film, Edward helps expose what his mother should wear for the day.
In this tender scene, Edward hams up the process, adding humor to a routine task in an attempt to distract both himself and his mother from the harsh reality of her dependency. This moment of reversed care, where the son takes on a nurturing role for his mother, is simple yet deeply moving. Such tenderness is usually missing in motion pictures and here is the starting point of the movie which explores what goes into the appreciation of love, life and family.
Observations of Love and Life
“Four Mothers” does not disappoint with providing such simplicity it also broadens people’s hearts and minds. The film does not shy away from portraying the terrible reality of life as it cycles through time. Through these events, the viewer witnesses the changing roles of mothers and sons, this is particularly effective with the understating of marital conflict. The film doesn’t rely on dramatic plot twists or over the top sentimentality to deliver its emotional impact. Instead, it finds beauty in the ordinary and strength in vulnerability.
The highly esteemed London Film Festival has seen the much-awaited return of writer-director Darren Thornton in his world premiere film titled “Four Mothers”. The film was a part of the main competition at the festival and once again, Thornton succeeded in offering a visually effective performance to both directing and storytelling. Thornton himself managed to create a positive reception by his debut film “A Date for Mad Mary” which premiered in 2016 but he never actually capitalized on this success. Now with Four Mothers, Thornton achieves a fine balance between comedic elements and intense character drama establishing him as a director who understands the intricacies of human relationships.
In many ways, Thornton’s previous monograph is taken up with a similar theme in Four Mothers. Humor in combination with anguished wit is very characteristic of Thornton’s style, his films offer something deeper than just plain comedy. Once again, the film manages internal dialogues relevantly and does not forget to add hints of external conflicts that define the main characters. Most intriguing, Thornton through the light use of comedy and unfortunate events combines a beautiful masterpiece that would attract those who yearn for subtlety in the film.
A Fresh Take on Queer Identity
Once again, Thornton’s ability to approach queer identity is quite remarkable and this brings the narrative of the film a whole new complexity. Thornton’s representation of queer characters and queer relationships does not seem pandering nor is it over the top; what he does is to engage the subject as it is and in the process remove doubt of his prowess as a filmmaker who seeks to explore different and often neglected identities. His portrayal of queer matters is not divorced from the main arc of the narrative and this integration makes the queer aspect look more of the story rather than the narrative.
James McArdle, a Scot who mostly practiced his art on the stage and TV, gives a great first impression movie in his debut frontrunner role in Four Mothers. Speaking in a native Irish accent effortlessly makes McArdle a strong candidate as a versatile and interesting actor. He has played Edward in a well-rounded manner where he was disarmingly amusing, irresistibly charming, and at the same time emotionally exposed subtly. He has an effective screen presence in both Four Mothers where he can capture the audience through humor and emotions, marking him as a notable figure in the industry. Comparisons to Andrew Scott, another actor who has won audiences over with his thoughtful performances, are well deserved, as McArdle similarly embodies the role of a “thinking person’s charmer.”
A Collaborative Effort
Darren Thornton, working alongside his brother Colin as co-writer, has crafted a fresh and engaging narrative for “Four Mothers,” drawing inspiration from the year 2008 Italian film “Mid-August Lunch,” directed by Gianni Di Gregorio. The original was a witty and heartwarming audience favorite, set in the sweltering heat of high-summer Rome. However, the Thorntons have reimagined the story with a unique spin, transplanting it from sunny Italy to the more subdued, overcast backdrop of suburban Ireland. This shift in setting, from the sun-drenched streets of Rome to the constant sweater-weather of Ireland, adds a new layer of charm and relatability to the film, giving it an entirely different atmosphere while maintaining the spirit of the original.
The change in location from the dry heat of Rome to the chilled weather of Ireland makes the film more enjoyable and relatable, as it is possible to give a different feeling without losing the context of the original work.
Instead of approaching “Four Mothers” as a standard remake, it is perhaps more appropriate to consider it as a part of the Mid-August Lunch‘s universe and playfully redeploy its basic concept. The Thorntons have very carefully localized the storyline to account for the existing sociocultural and political realities in modern Ireland. This creation of a new context enables the viewers to address issues peculiar to such a fusion of social and religious paradigm elements that Ireland uniquely provides. Cultural adjustments of Italy and Ireland are of slight but important significance when trying to make a movie that is again led by its predecessor but has developed into a more Irish piece and feeling sensible.
A New Character in Itself
There is a logic to the decision to reposition to Ireland—it’s practically artistic and enhances the mood of the film. The same things like dark skies, small houses, and warm-hearted neighborhoods create a different level of intimacy which feels almost in opposition to the living, bright city of Rome in the beginning. This theme of gray skies with a chill helps the film’s tone remain simple but more reflective in nature which is crucial to the emotional context of the narrative. The simple neighborhoods and squished houses of the suburban of Ireland adds another dimension to the film and with that assist the theme of deeper relationships in the film which makes the landscape nonetheless a character.
The most important shift in the audience’s perception of the play, as Thornton has also suggested, is the emphasis put on the masculinity of the central character in “Four Mothers”. The first part of the trilogy faced the issues of the family and the turning points of generations, this time it is the dimension of sexuality, and the forming of the self which is more pronounced and used to give a modern perspective to the narrative. Even the fact that the protagonist being queer isn’t forced or awkward but fits perfectly into the development of the story and makes the evolution of her character more relatable to the audience today. This particularly draws attention to the domination of sexuality as well as the cultural and religious contextualization of Ireland, thus making it more entertaining and incisive.
Edward’s Life: A Caregiver and an Author
Currently at the age of 35 with no ambitions of getting married, Edward enjoys a sustainable lifestyle as he focuses on two areas of his life – being a novelist in the genre of young adult fiction and being a caretaker to his old mother. His novels revolve around queer romance, which Edward doesn’t think he has experienced himself for a long time. His current parent-age life mostly caters to his mother, who is now 81 years of age, and goes by the name of Alma. Once afflicted by a stroke and struggling to walk, Edward has settled down to perform nurturing activities and other tasks related to her mother’s health.
Even without explaining why Edward loves and is so tolerant towards his mother’s demands, he knows deep within that hands-on care has unevenly distributed between them. Whenever the thought crosses his mind, he invariably directs his ire to his straight but married and mostly absent brother. While Edward handles the day-to-day care, his brother remains distant, seemingly free from the emotional and physical toll of caregiving. This unequal division of labor in their family weighs heavily on Edward, leaving him feeling both trapped and overlooked.
Still, even though the home is a battleground for him, Edward is not fully fighting all his battles alone. People just like him find him friends who go through the same things he does. His friends, Colm, played by Gearoid Farrelly, and Billy, portrayed by Gordon Hickey, are two of the very few friends who comprehend the predicament he is in. Just like Edward, they are two gay men who are in the same place as him, taking care of their mothers but simply trying to breathe through the thick air their situations put them in.
Complicated Bond with Therapist
Of all the relationships Edward has, the one he most actively cultivates is with his therapist, Dermot, played by Rory O’Neill. Dermot, recently divorced, only came out as a gay man several months ago after years of hiding his sexual orientation. Edward is in a quite similar situation as well; he too lives with his mother. Edward does not however take the advice of his mother who herself has quite a lot going on in her life and is unable to fully assist Edward. The combination of men’s experiences with the struggle of having to live with their mothers make the therapist and his patient interdependent but at times quite complicated. While Dermot provides good advice and helpful insights, there are also several issues that arise due to the similarities in their lives.
Edward and his colleagues including the therapist are living under similar circumstances of a mother-son bonded atmosphere that is stifling and in one word a ‘live-in’ relationship. It becomes a cliché since these men are helpless in their own right and love their mothers over any other sentiment but it leads to men suffering from seeking some form of release which would allow them to redefine themselves beyond the roles they have been told to play. Such seems to be the case with Edward and any chances he has of finding love or even reigniting his dating life lie somewhere in space as after all, he is a ‘caregiver’ by definition and essence.
Edward is a man whose deep-rooted need to please others often overshadows his own dreams and ambitions. Despite rehearsing self-care mantras in therapy and being constantly reminded of the importance of prioritizing his own well-being, he struggles to implement these ideas in his life.
The Unexpected Success
Edward is caught in the web of his caregiving responsibilities, particularly towards his older mother, Alma, which keeps him from focusing on himself or pursuing his personal goals. His emotional and mental exhaustion is evident as he continues to put others’ needs before his own, leaving little room for his ambitions to flourish. Just as Edward is barely managing the balance between his caregiving duties and his personal desires, an unexpected opportunity comes his way. One of his young adult novels, centered on queer romance, suddenly becomes a viral hit in the U.S., thanks to a TikTok trend. His publisher quickly requests his presence on a U.S. book tour, recognizing the momentum his novel has gained. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity could potentially change Edward’s career, but instead of celebrating, he spirals into panic.
The very idea of leaving Alma to embark on this book tour terrifies him. His life has been so deeply intertwined with her care that the thought of detaching himself, even temporarily, sends him into a state of anxiety. Edward’s internal conflict intensifies as he realizes that pursuing this opportunity could finally allow him to focus on his ambitions, but at the same time, it would require him to prioritize himself over Alma—something he hasn’t been able to do.
A New Set of Responsibilities
To make matters even more complicated, just as Edward is grappling with the idea of going on the book tour, his closest friends—Colm, Billy, and Dermot—throw another wrench into his plans. The three of them decide to embark on a spontaneous seaside Pride trip to Spain, eager to break free from their own caregiving roles. Each of them has been caring for their respective mothers, who, like Alma, require constant attention. With no hesitation, they leave their mothers in Edward’s care, trusting him to manage the additional responsibility.
Suddenly, Edward finds himself not only taking care of Alma but also tending to the unique needs of three other older people. Jean (played by Dearbhla Molloy) is sharp-tongued and salty, Maude (Stella McCusker) is prim and proper, and Rosey (Paddy Glynn) is an eccentric, would-be bohemian. Each of these women brings their own set of challenges and quirks, further overwhelming Edward as he tries to juggle caregiving duties with the looming pressure of his career opportunity.
Weight of Sacrifice
As Edward navigates the chaos that has become his life, the weight of his sacrifices becomes increasingly unbearable. The more he tries to please everyone around him—his mother, his friends, and even his publisher—the more he loses sight of himself. The spontaneous trip taken by his friends only exacerbates his feelings of isolation, leaving him to shoulder all the caregiving responsibilities while they seek the freedom and joy that he so desperately craves. His internal struggle deepens as he questions whether he will ever be able to pursue his own desires without feeling guilty or abandoning those who depend on him.
The Thorntons’ script for “Four Mothers” manages to walk the fine line between sitcom-like setups and grounded, human storytelling. While certain elements of the narrative, such as the sudden arrival of new houseguests, may initially seem contrived, the strength of the writing brings out the authenticity of the characters. Each interaction feels real, thanks to the honesty in the script and the attention to personal detail that defines these moments. It’s this blend of humor and humanity that makes the story so engaging, keeping viewers invested even as it treads familiar comedic territory.
At the heart of the story is Alma, Edward’s mother, whose sharp wit and direct approach to life add a distinct layer of complexity to the narrative. A woman who speaks her mind, Alma is now forced to communicate entirely through a digital voice app due to her physical limitations. This device, however, doesn’t dampen her ability to express her displeasure at the arrival of the new houseguests, just as Edward is overwhelmed by their presence. Her frustration and biting humor add a dynamic tension to the household, creating a lively environment that echoes the sharp-tongued banter of classic sitcoms like “The Golden Girls.”
The Women’s Clashes
As the four women, Alma and her new houseguests, navigate their clashing personalities, their differences serve as more than just fodder for humor. Beneath the surface, their conflicting perspectives on topics like marriage, child-rearing, and the queerness of their sons offer a nuanced snapshot of a society undergoing a slow but inevitable transition. Their debates reflect a country still grappling with the lingering influence of conservative Catholicism, with certain traditions and values being upheld while others are slowly dismantled. This generational shift is portrayed thoughtfully, with each woman’s viewpoint contributing to a broader conversation about societal change and acceptance.
While the women’s interactions provide moments of levity and insight, Edward’s personal journey carries the emotional core of the story. His struggle to assert himself in a world that often expects him to take a backseat speaks to the broader experience of many gay men of his generation. Raised in a society shaped by heteronormative expectations, Edward finds it difficult to advocate for his own needs and desires. His lingering feelings for his ex, Raf (Gaetan Garcia), who continues to visit daily as Alma’s physical therapist, only add to his internal conflict.
Tension runs across Edward’s character, and Raf earns his unvoiced affection. This yearning and possession also lead him to feel powerless and stagnant even within the confines of life. In many respects, they will find his character’s responsibility as a caretaker, his unresolved emotional issues, as well as his overarching struggle of his place in the world where he was not always welcome, familiar to the audience. Especially to those enduring the burden of traditional life modules which does not embrace, or fully recognizes the queer spectrum.
Subtle Storytelling in “Four Mothers”
In “Four Mothers”, Darren Thornton skillfully does not fail to provide the complexities of the film’s themes in detail. In fact, he prefers the dialogues of the characters to the story as the means of letting the subtleties present themselves. The film itself sits back and avoids the art of detailing its emotions and themes, leaving it to the viewers to unearth them through discreet scenes and conversations. The film’s ironical tendencies come out strongly in Edward’s ungraced discussions, wherein he tries to put forth his book’s premise to Americans in interviews. His struggle to verbalize the deeper meaning of his work mirrors the film’s own restraint in offering overt explanations. Unlike Edward, Thornton is confident in allowing the emotional complexities to unfold on their own, trusting that the audience will pick up on the delicate tensions and shared feelings among the characters.
James McArdle’s portrayal of Edward is a standout, capturing the deep weariness and anxiety of a man who loves sincerely but finds himself stretched too thin by the demands of his life. McArdle conveys Edward’s self-punishing nature, showing how his constant need to care for others has taken an emotional toll. Even though his performance is rife with underwhelmingly irritating moments, yet there’s an undeniable tenderness in the way he relates to those around him. One of the many highlights of the film is the bond between Edward and his mother, Alma – wonderfully played by Fionnula Flanagan. Their brief masochistically loving dialogues and frustration bring warmth and tension into the film, preventing it from being overly melodramatic.
Alma’s Wisdom
As the film draws to a close, Alma delivers a piece of advice to Edward that feels inevitable: “Live your life.” It’s a simple, straightforward message that many films about caregiving and personal sacrifice eventually land on. Yet in “Four Mothers,” this line carries a deeper significance, not because it presents a revelation, but because it highlights something Edward has been grappling with all along. While Alma’s words seem to offer Edward a new perspective, the true message of the film is more layered.
“Four Mothers” is a film that thrives on its quiet, understated storytelling leaving much of the emotional depth unsaid and instead allowing the characters’ interactions to do the talking. McArdle’s portrayal of Edward, a man struggling to balance his love for others with his own desires, is beautifully matched by Flanagan’s sharp and tender portrayal of Alma. The film doesn’t push a complicated moral, but rather reflects on the everyday struggles and quiet victories of its characters. In doing so, it offers viewers a contemplative and ultimately heartwarming story about love, sacrifice, and the delicate balance between caring for others and living your own life.
