The complicated relationship between mothers and their offspring is mined for comedy gold in Director Garry Marshall’s star-studded ensemble feature Mother’s Day.
Continuing the tone he set in his previous films Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, Marshall’s Mother’s Day brings together an all-star cast playing in intertwining stories. This group of seemingly unconnected people – a divorced mother of two (Jennifer Aniston) whose ex-husband has recently remarried a younger woman, a writer (Julia Roberts) who gave up her only child for adoption at birth, a bride-to-be (Britt Robertson) whose impending nuptials inspire her to seek out her birth mother, a single man (Jason Sudeikis) who must find a way to be both mother and father to his kids, and a semi-estranged daughter (Kate Hudson) who must deal with both a surprise visit by her parents and their failing relationship – must all find a way to come to terms with the relationships they have with their mothers as the titular holiday draws close.
Coinciding with the title of the film, on Mother's Day, May 8, 2016, Marshall spoke about the challenges of making the film and the joys of working again with actors he’s directed in previous projects such as Roberts (Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride) and Hudson (Raising Helen). The conversation that took place following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles was moderated by Director Robert B. Weide (Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time).
In addition to Mother’s Day and the other previously mentioned features, Marshall’s filmography also includes the features The Princess Diaries, Dear God, Frankie and Johnny, and The Flamingo Kid; the movies for television Herndon and Dominic’s Dream; and episodes of the classic series Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Happy Days and The Odd Couple. Marshall has been a member of the DGA since 1967.