Written by Tiffany
Opened October 23, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 30 min.
PG-13: language, sexual references and a brief drug comment
Motherhood is a slice of life movie. It chronicles a day in the life of Eliza Welch (played by Uma Thurman), a stay-at-home mother of two and writer of the mommy-blog “The Bjorn Identity” (why didn’t I think of that?!) It starts with Eliza waking in the still dark morning, shuffling out of bed, checking on her still sleeping children, snapping a picture of her daughter, making a cup of coffee, and sitting down in her office to write her blog. Hmm… I don’t know about you, but switch out the coffee for tea (and “office” for my bed) and that describes my morning to a T.
In fact, I did identify with a lot of Eliza’s day. The crazy, hectic mornings, annoying people in line at the store and trying to find two minutes to string together a complex sentence. The feelings of having lost your “real” identity to that of wife and mother, and wondering if you’ll ever again find that woman you once were. Since I am currently in the middle of literally that exact same struggle, this movie hit closer to home for me than I was expecting.
What I didn’t identify with is that Uma Thurman on her worst day is looking 10 times better than me on my best. I know they tried really hard to “ugly” her up, but underneath the hair and glasses, she’s still Uma. And on the close-ups, it REALLY bugged me to see this perfect makeup job. I’m sorry, but harried mom who doesn’t even have time to run a brush through her hair does NOT have perfect makeup. Take note, movie makers!! I’m lucky to get some concealer and mascara applied! In fact, a great scenario would have been to have Uma interrupted and end up going through her day with mascara on only one eye. Not that that’s ever happened to me!
But aside from Uma’s great beauty (and my own insecurities) I found this movie wonderfully validating. Rare is the movie that comes from the mom’s point of view. Usually, she’s the supporting character in someone else’s life. And don’t we all feel like that, at least on occasion? It’s listed as a comedy, though I think it’s more accurately described as REALITY. My reality, when I look at it from the outside, is pretty comical. Which is what I try to capture in my own mommy blog.
I’m going to take a moment and address the issue of kids’ names, because several scenes make mention of it. There’s a scene where Eliza is accused of giving her daughter, Clara, an Edna-name “you named her after your favorite grandmother, didn’t you?” If I remember correctly, her response is “shut up!” There’s another scene where a mom is on the phone with her daycare, telling them she’s going to be late picking up her twins “Skye and Banjo” – and of course, the audience broke out laughing here. Because that’s ridiculous, right, who names their son Banjo?! But is Skye really in the same realm as Banjo? I’ve heard it referred to as one of those “hippie” names like Rain and River, but I never thought of it as such? So, what’s the consensus? Is Skye one of those weird, out there names like Rumor and Apple? Or is it just unusual and uncommon? Like, say Tad.
My overall review: I really liked it. Maybe it was just seeing myself on screen (a taller, thinner version of me) but I enjoyed seeing a mom who was a person and not just a supporting caricature in someone else’s more interesting (read: important) life.
I like “slice of life” movies, so this sounds like it might be for me. It’s nice to see Uma Thurman again. I can’t remember the last time I saw her in a major role – ?
But is Skye really in the same realm as Banjo? – Tiffany
I didn’t Google to confirm, but I am pretty sure Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under, Brothers and Sisters) has a son named Banjo. I do think Banjo is a little more out there! I actually think Skye is a fairly “normal” name and kind of pretty. I started to see it appear in the 80’s. I know there have been various soap opera characters named Skye or Skyler. The actress Ione Skye (I think Skye is her middle named) also comes to mind.
Everyone has an opinion on baby names it seems. I am glad the character of Eliza told the busybody to “shut-up!” in the film.
I’m not sure, but I think Rachel Griffiths named her son after some figure in Australian history. Still think Banjo is a silly name, though.
I am interested in this movie. I saw a commercial and it looked cute, and I am an Uma Thurman fan.
I did a little research and found out this: “Actually she named him after Banjo Patterson one of Australia’s most renown bush poets and storytellers, so from a fellow Australians POV this isn’t a strange name at all.”
However, everything I found referencing the name came from sites titled “worst celebrity baby names ever.”
Thanks Tiffany, I am enjoying your reviews. I will be sure to see watch this movie. It sounds great, just like the kind I like to enjoy. I love Uma Thurman. She was so good in The Producers. I think the last thing I saw her in was My Super Ex Girlfriend (I think that’s the title). I love a sort-of realistic and funny mom movie.
Rare is the movie that comes from the mom’s point of view. Usually, she’s the supporting character in someone else’s life. And don’t we all feel like that, at least on occasion?
Yes! So well said Tiffany!
I have got to see this movie. I am proud to be my daughter’s mom and my husband’s wife- but that’s not all I am. Sometimes I do feel like I’ve lost my identity to those titles, I think a lot of women can relate to that.