DVD

'night - Mother

$10.99

User Reviews about 'night - Mother

Spacek and Bancroft and engaging in this look into the life a a woman that has decided that she cannot go on any further. So much in her life has gone wrong and she has decided to end it all. She tells her mother that she is going to commit suicide and end it all. Spend her last evening with her and her mom and find out how and why she has come to this conclusion. Spacek and Bancroft has had my attention with this movie for many years. I had searched for it on DVD. I even called the DVD release company and they said that hey had no plans to put it on DVD over 5 years ago. I have Blockbuster On Line and just happend to run across it while searching movies. It is not for sale through Blockbuster and so I turned back to Amazon again to see if they had it on DVD since it has been released on DVD. Much to my happiness I found that they do and it will be the best 11.00 you have ever spent on a movie. I am ecstatic over this. I have it on VHS and kept my VHS player just so that I could watch it again and again. YOU MUST SEE THIS HEART TUGGING MOVIE! -- A MUST SEE!

This is basically a filmed play, character-study type film, and it primarily focuses on two characters...a mother and a daughter, as played by Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek, respectfully. Note, I'm not here to give a review of this film, I am here to praise the spectacular acting and to highly suggest watching it to anyone that wants to experience superior acting. Sissy Spacek (in brown eye contacts that make her look impossibly sad) should have taken home her second Best Actress Oscar for this performance. That isn't just a statement, it's a fact. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest performances ever caught on film. I have now seen this film 3 times, and her flawless performance only gets better every time. Anne Bancroft is also amazing, and thankfully, offers a tiny bit of comic relief in this grim and devastating film. Both actresses had a ton of dialog to remember, and they both handled it with expertise, as evidenced in one 'long take' after another.
Like I stated, this story is unrelentingly grim, but it's one that will raise a lot of questions and discussions with its viewers. To me, that's always a good thing.
But first and foremost, I highly recommend this film to all to witness 'acting' at its absolute finest. It simply can not get any better than this. I have never known of Sissy Spacek giving a weak performance, and she's certainly been outstanding in the many films of hers that I have seen. But I can easily say that I consider -'night, Mother- as the jewel in her crown. -- 'Acting' does not get any better than this

When I first saw this movie, it was on VHS. I missed it at the theatres. This is truly a showcase of the depth of skill of two outstanding actresses. This movie could have gotten maudlin and overly dramatic. But the director really knew this script and characters and kept Sissy and Anne within the boundaries of stable characterizations. It explores humankind in a way that makes our skin crawl. It goes to the very life of suicide and how it is a viable option. This movie is haunting and everytime I think of it, I see in my mind's eye Sissy Spacek looking back at Anne Bancroft saying, "'night, Mother" and I receive a chill time and time again. Definitely not a date movie. Most assuredly not a movie to watch to lift your spirits. But if you are in a pensive mood, a solemn mood and want to watch a movie that makes you think and process life, this is the one. If you are anything like me, you will be moved to tears and left with an empty feeling for a while. But taking that trip and feeling those feelings will make you so very glad you are alive and have the tenacity to take the punches and survive. Quite an incredible little film with such a lot to say. -- One Helluva Movie

I could go on and on about this film. 'night, Mother is probably my favorite play of all time. The writing is out of this world. This is a story as much, if not more, about what is *not* said than what is. And the two magnificent actresses in this film version are two of my favorites and they really knock it out of the park, performance-wise. It is essentially a play on film, but for those of us who couldn't see it on Broadway, this is a great alternative.

But mainly this review is to comment on the DVD. Finally this film is available again! It's never been on DVD (in the US) that I know of, and you could barely find it on VHS (I found abused, used copies but that's it). Been out of print so long I considered buying an archaic laserdisc player just to get that version. This is very basic DVD, no frills whatsoever. There's not even a menu page. It's just the film - pop it in the player and it starts. That being said, the transfer looks decent - nothing wrong with it, and looks/sounds as clear as I've seen it on cable. Doesn't seem to have been any print/digital restoration or making it shine more, but it's perfectly fine. It would have been nice to have some extras, interviews, behind-the-scenes stuff, even the theatrical trailer or an audio commentary track. A bit disappointing to wait so long and not get anything more. BUT, it is such a blessing to finally have it available (and on a modern format) that who can complain?! (Besides me, apparently, but you know what I mean.) If you love this film, don't worry about the quality of the DVD. If you've never seen it, get it and be astounded if you like excellent writing and acting. -- Finally on DVD!!

Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft carry the full weight of this movie squarely on their shoulders, as they are the only actors on the screen. Sissy is an adult who suffers from epilepsy as well as deep-seated feelings of failure and hopelessness. She sees no other alternative to escape her life but suicide. The movie is about her last couple of hours of life, during which she attempts to explain to her mother what she is about to do and why.

Anne Bancroft plays a "simple country woman" who is at a loss to understand how her daughter could want to end her life. She makes several attempts to convince her daughter to remain among the living, but only gets to "I love you" in the final moments.

The raw emotion that pours out of the daughter in those final moments is riveting. The whole movie is a masterpiece showing how close we may appear to be in physical proximity, yet how far apart we truly may be in personal relationship. A wake-up call to those paying attention that we need to take the time to really talk to one another, to get to know one another, so that we may be able to truly be there for each other.

This is a double thumbs-up movie for teens to adult. -- One of my favorites ...