Why not watch a film with your mom this Mother’s Day?  No matter what type of films your mom likes, I bet there is one for her on this top 10 list!

And if you are unable to spend the day with your mom, I definitely recommend watching any of these mom-themed films to fill the void. Also, be sure to let me know if I missed your favorite mom-themed film in the comments!

______

10) The 400 Blows - Truffaut’s take on his own childhood is heartbreaking and beautiful.  Introduce your mom to the The French New Wave and the story of a son who simply wants a mom who cares.

______

9) A Woman Under the Influence - You can’t go wrong with John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands.  And this story of a mother/wife who just can’t get it together is a beautiful tribute to the fragile nature of family and of the many faces of love.

______

8)  Dancer in the Dark - Lars von Trier’s story of a mother who is willing to sacrifice it all so her son can see is definitely a downer - but maybe your mom likes tragic films? Or maybe she is just a big Bjork fan?

______

7) In America- A pretty traditional but still really wonderful family story.  It looks at a family of Irish immigrants who come to New York City to escape their past and get closer.  It might make your mom cry (it makes me cry).

______

6) Autumn Sonata- Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullman together in an Ingmar Bergman film  is reason enough to watch this.  When you add the fact that the film is about a tense/somewhat horrific mother-daughter relationship it might just be the perfect mother’s day film - as it will make you appreciate your relationship with your mom even more! The clip below doesn’t have subtitles - but with Ullman/Bergman on screen you don’t really need them to understand what’s going on.

______

5) Psycho - Maybe my favorite “mother” themed movie. And you can’t really consider films about mothers without putting at least one Hitchcock on the list.

______

4) Grey Gardens - A great documentary, this portrait of a recluse mother and daughter in East Hampton showcases how family can sometimes be stifling as well as supportive.  Also - the fashion is great - and moms like fashion!

______

3) Mildred Pierce - Mother’s Day is the perfect day to watch a Joan Crawford film - esp one about a mother who spends all her time trying to make her daughter’s life better despite the fact that her daughter is horrible and selfish.

______

2) The Umbrellas of Cherbourg- Most moms love love stories - and this is one of the best there is. Also it is a musical.  Also it will make you and your mom cry - or it should.

______

1) All That Heaven Allows - One of the premiere “weepies” or “women’s films”,Douglas Sirk’s All That Heaven Allows is not only a story of impossible love but also of greedy adult children.  Watch it together, laugh at the camp and cry at the tragedy!