Debuting this week on DVD and Blu-Ray from National Entertainment Media is a film all about the personal struggles and passions of a blooming mom blogger. Motherhood, starring Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards, and Minnie Driver, is a raw and real glimpse in the day in the life of Eliza Welch. She is balancing a plethora of responsibilities and wearing a handful of hats: Keeping up with her eccentric and forgetful husband, caring for her toddler son, posting to her mom blog (The Bjorn Identity), navigating sticky neighborhood situations, nurturing a fragile friendship, and planning her daughter’s 6th birthday party (which is scheduled for that very night).
(Sound like too much for one day? Tired yet? Keep reading.)
In the midst of all of her “to-dos,” she finds out about a writing contest that can land her a permanent job in the field of parenting prose. She adds to her list: “Compose a 500-word essay on ‘What Motherhood Means to Me.’”
We follow Eliza as she deals with the pressures and inconveniences of living in a big city, car towing woes, shops for last-minute birthday party supplies, gets groceries (for her family and also her elderly next-door neighbor), meets her friend for a one-day-only sample sale, takes her son for a playground playdate, all the while toting around her laptop. By the end, she feels as if she’ll be lucky to get a sentence written, much less 500 words.
Though there is a ton of hearty humor in this film (exaggerated stereotypes of mom types, interpersonal communnication, and parenting styles), there is a heavy underlying theme of every mother’s struggle to hold tight to her identity as a person once motherhood becomes part of her persona.
The complicated, somewhat misaligned communication between she and her husband add even more stress to her day, showing glimpses of a deeper and underlying relational struggle, a battle to keep a marriage strong amidst the stresses of parenting (and life).
I enjoyed this movie…there were laugh-out-loud parts, for sure, and several moments where I nodded my head and said, “They got that right on the money!” Though most of the movie left me feeling, well, tired, I did appreciate the happy ending, albeit it a little too tidy. I felt as if this movie was shorter than it needed to be….perhaps a television series or miniseries would do this scenario more justice and allow the characters to become more developed and explored.
Still, it was an enjoyable film, and as a lover of writing and a mom blogger myself, one that I could easily relate to. The tear-invoking words near the end of the film sum up a tenet of mine very well, words that just go to show that parenting is a learning process….not just for child, but for moms, as well:
“Things are always changing, no matter how much you want things to stay the same. You could take a picture of your kids every single day and every single day, they’d just be getting older. That’s a fact; a heartbreaking fact, but still a fact. So seize your days and dwell in them fully. Look to your children, because they know how to inhabit brief periods of time with extreme passion….and for nothing more, really, than the sake of those moments. They can help you remember that….if you only slow down and let them.”
You can find Motherhood in stores near you, wherever DVDs are sold, or via Amazon on either DVD or Blu-Ray.
Win it! Courtesy of National Entertainment Media and Sugar Mountain PR, TWO of you can win a copy of Motherhood on DVD!
Here’s how to enter:
1) MANDATORY: Leave me a comment below telling me why you’d like to see this film…or what part of Eliza Welch’s life you think you’ll relate to the most.
2) For an extra entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.
3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.
4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered!
I’ll close this contest next Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US entries only. Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congratulations to commenter #20, Sandy, and #99, Jenna, the winners of this DVD!
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I only received the product itself; I received no other monetary compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Jessica (2 years ago)
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/jjak2003/statuses/9913850606
Jenny D (2 years ago)
I’d like to win this because I like Uma Thurman!
Jim W. (2 years ago)
My wife would love this
renee (2 years ago)
I would love to watch this movie because it does not have a little yellow sponge in it named Spongebob! I can relate to trying to hold onto yourself as an individual after having children
Jen K (2 years ago)
I’d like to win this to give to my mother because I’m sure she can relate to it haha. I’ve caused a lot of havoc for her when I was younger
Ken Robinson (2 years ago)
Uma Thurman has always shown a flair for comedy. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
Daniel M (2 years ago)
i want to see it because i’m a big uma fan!
Heidi V. (2 years ago)
The part about losing your persona I can relate too. This sounds like a great movie.
Dave (2 years ago)
Uma Thurman is a terrific actress. The previews for this film look very funny and I am looking forward to seeing it. Thank you for the chance to win.
Heidi Kratzke (2 years ago)
I’d like to see this… simply put, because I need as much help as I can get!
Jason (2 years ago)
I would love to see this because I love Uma Thurman
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Jason (2 years ago)
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/parkerozgood/status/10040202699
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
JenniferB (2 years ago)
I would love to watch this movie because I think it would be so cute and entertaining.
JenniferB (2 years ago)
I’m subscribed to rss feed- google reader
Madeline (2 years ago)
I could really use a good laugh…plus I haven’t seen anything but kid’s movies in a ridiculously long time.
Erica C. (2 years ago)
It sounds like it would be something that any mom can relate to…seing the impossible being accomplished everyday!
oneangel (2 years ago)
I would love to watch this- I believe this would be very funny-!
sweetscove (2 years ago)
I would love to see this film because I think Uma has good comedy timing…much better than drama!
Marc (2 years ago)
I want to see this movie as I’m a HUGE Uma Thurman fan.
Melissa B. (2 years ago)
I would love to see this because I am a mom and think it would be hilarious.
katie s. (2 years ago)
I’d like to see this movie because I’m a new mommy too and I always find that doing as much ‘research’ as possible is never a bad thing. Plus, 2 hours of entertainment is a luxury these days!
shawna (2 years ago)
I’m a mom I can relate!!
Rosey (2 years ago)
I would like to see it because I like Uma Thurman but I have never seen her in a comedic role.
Ed Nemmers (2 years ago)
Crushin’ on Ms. Thurman!
christopher h (2 years ago)
i’d like to see it because i’m a big uma thurman fan
Susan Smith (2 years ago)
I’d like to see the movie because I’m a Mom and could always use a laugh
Kerrie G (2 years ago)
I would like to see this film because as a slightly stressed out mom of 3 boys I can always use a good laugh!
Kerrie G (2 years ago)
I subscribe to your blog via Goggle Reader
electric island (2 years ago)
It looks heartwarming that’s why I think I’d like to see it!
dianad (2 years ago)
Sounds like a fun movie. Motherhood is a a difficult job and unfortunately isn’t given enough credit. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
REBECCA (2 years ago)
I heard this was a good movie and I don’t get to the movies much and I would like to see this
Amy Delong (2 years ago)
it looks very funny and uma rocks!
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Amy Delong (2 years ago)
fb friend request
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Jay F. (2 years ago)
I want to see Uma in a comedy.
Heather (2 years ago)
I would love to see this movie because it looks hilarious!
kathy pease (2 years ago)
id like to see this because uma thurman is a good actress and i like her films
kathy pease (2 years ago)
friend on facebook kathylpease
kathy pease (2 years ago)
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/10131159292
Anna (2 years ago)
It looks interesting. Thanks.
tina reynolds (2 years ago)
I would love to see it because it looks like a very funny movie that I can relate to for sure : ) thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com
tina reynolds (2 years ago)
I subscribe to your blog thanks
tina reynolds (2 years ago)
I am a facebook fan my id is lepaige thanks
Francine Anchondo (2 years ago)
I would like to see this because I like watching new movies and it seems like a good one to watch.
Betty Curran (2 years ago)
I can relate to trying to squeeze too much into the little time we have and sometimes overlooking some very precious moments with our children.
Betty Curran (2 years ago)
I’m a new subscriber with google reader.
heather (2 years ago)
I would love to see this because it looks hilarious and I love watching new movies!
heather (2 years ago)
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/_HeatherAnne_/status/10135287839
heather (2 years ago)
Muse Reviews’ feed subscriber!
Jenna (2 years ago)
I’d like to see his because I adore Uma Thurman, and the subject matter is fascinating
Jenna (2 years ago)
Er, this*, not his.
Following on facebook- j. osborne