Directed by: Darren Thornton
Written by: Darren Thornton and Colin Thornton
Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
There’s a lot to be said for the bond between mothers and their sons, but mothers and their gay sons, well that’s a different kettle of fish entirely. This unique and special bond can be one of the strongest amongst family relationships, but what about when it’s put to the test? Well, this is precisely what writer-director Darren Thornton ponders in his sophomore feature, Four Mothers – but as the title suggests, there’s a myriad of maternal madness to make sense of first.
With an exciting stateside book tour only days away, Irish writer Edward (James McArdle) is all set to launch his new novel in the US. The only problem is, he’s not sure that he’ll be able to make the trip. As in addition to his busy work schedule, he also takes care of his elderly mother Alma (Fionnula Flanagan). His chances of going get even slimmer when a few of his friends decide to take advantage of his situation and leave their mums in his care too – unceremoniously dumping them on his doorstep while they sneakily jet off to Maspalomas Pride. So now with a house full of demanding mammies, Edward must try his best to keep everyone happy, all the while hoping that he can still make it to America.
Being both very Irish and very gay, Four Mothers has a really natural charm to it – one that should immediately get audiences on side. In all honesty, it would be hard not to be amused by the subsequent humour that this setting and specific point of view brings with it. Whether it’s one of the four mothers continually going to wakes for people she doesn’t know, or the gay therapist who always finds a way to bring the conversation back to himself, Thornton’s vibrant characters ensure his film is full of fun. Yet, the comedy found in the script is almost always grounded in truth.
This place of honesty affords the film the opportunity to touch on more serious issues in an enjoyably lighthearted way. However, its exploration of some of the less progressive attitudes – homophobia for one – held by a certain selection of the country’s older generation is delivered with enough intent to cut through the humour and decidedly make its point. It isn’t just queer issues that Four Mothers is concerned with though. Thornton’s film is predominately about care; the care we give to others and, more importantly, the care we owe ourselves.
Yet despite belonging to a subset of men generally well regarded for their self-care abilities, this stereotype sadly doesn’t extend to Edward. Admittedly, the blame for the situation he finds himself in here can’t be solely attributed to him. However, the addition of these extra three mams only further highlights the damaging position he already found himself in. Just now, he can’t deny it.
Four Mothers proceeds to take him and the titular mams on a trying tour of hospital appointments, shopping trips and of course one or two of the aforementioned and all important wakes. At times it perhaps gets a little sidetracked with one too many mammy subplots, resulting in a pace that has a tendency to meander in places. Thankfully, its next laugh or sincere emotional beat is never too far around the next bend.
The company’s certainly never dull either, and amongst the lively ensemble James McArdle’s sympathetic leading turn as Edward confidently grounds the whole piece. He deftly captures the very real frustrations that carers have to face, partnering perfectly with the screenplay’s important ideas about knowing when to put oneself first. All told with such genuine heart, Thornton’s film sits you down, makes you a cuppa and gives you a big love. After all, mother knows best.
Star Rating: ★ ★ ★
Not Too Loud 
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