People Like Us
In People Like Us, the smart new drama from DreamWorks Pictures released this week, we find the always-delightful Elizabeth Banks as hardworking single mother Frankie.
Working in a bar and struggling to make ends meet for her son (adorable newcomer Michael Hall D'Addario), Frankie nevertheless manages to overcome life's challenges and remain a source of strength and support.
Banks joins a long line of inspirational mums on film, the maternal role having always drawn fantastic performances from Hollywood's finest.
From Julia Roberts' titular Erin Brockovich to Sandra Bullock's Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, let's look through some of the most memorable mums in movies:
- Molly Weasley - Harry Potter
The fiery-haired head of the Weasley clan, Molly Weasley is both enthusiastic (if somewhat eccentric) homemaker and also a key player in the fight against Lord Voldemort.
The warm home and fierce tongue of Mrs Weasley were famous before Julie Walters gave her form in the wizarding franchise, but Walters brought her own "magic" to the role.
- Leigh Anne Tuohy - The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock wowed critics in this Oscar-winning role, playing the no-nonsense mum of the Tuohy household who nurtures a homeless boy to become a professional football player.
Leigh Anne's determination and pragmatism (as well as some great outfits!) earn her a well-deserved place on the list.
- Donna Sheridan - Mamma Mia
The beautiful scenery and so-catchy-it's-annoying sing-a-longs made Mamma Mia THE hit of 2008, and Meryl Streep's feisty performance played no small part in the film's success.
Crooning to her bevy of handsome suiters, Streep made women everywhere embrace the cathartic power of ABBA once again...
- Erin Brockovich - Erin Brockovich
Surely one of the best mum's on screen: Julia Roberts' unforgettable performance in the eponymous role as the sassy single mother taking on big business - and winning!
Bagging herself an Oscar in the process, Roberts brought humour and sensitivity to a character that is emblematic of true "girl power".
- Sarah Connor - Terminator 2
By the time Terminator 2 came around, gone was the wide-eyed and innocent Sarah Connor in her place, a fighting machine determined to prevent a future apocalypse, and protect her son.
Linda Hamilton gives a powerful feminist touch to an otherwise macho-dominated film: "Men like you built the hydrogen bomb [...] You think you’re so creative. You don’t know what it’s like to really create something; to create a life; to feel it growing inside you. All you know how to create is death".
- Helen Parr - The Incredibles
Voiced by Helen Hunt, "Elastigirl" is the stretchy-limbed mum of the superhero Parr household.
Fighting villains gives way to homemaking when superheroes are forced into retirement, but Mrs Incredible still rocks.
Protective of her family, Mrs Incredible saves the day while still keeping the house spick and span! What a superwoman.
- Mrs George - Mean Girls
Amy Poehler stole the show as Regina George's sassy, iron breasted, perpetual pink-tracksuit-wearing mom.
Offering cocktails, condoms and a wealth of hilarious one-liners, Mrs George was the cherry on Mean Girls' cake. "I'm not like a regular mom, I'm a cool mom"
- The Bride - Kill Bill
Uma Thurman cut a path through a swathe of baddies to be reunited with the daughter she'd never met in Tarantino's cult classic.
In the iconic yellow suit, The Bride shows that there is truly nothing more deadly than a woman scorned.
- Rosemary - Easy A
Patricia Clarkson brings a certain kooky charm to all her roles, but her turn as Emma Stone's bohemian mum (to Stanley Tucci's dad!) was comedy perfection!
Most girls can relate to a bit of parental sharing, but Rosemary's cringe-worthy rhapsodising about her romantic history is a highlight.
- Esme Cullen - The Twilight Saga
Ok, she may not have technically birthed her vampire brood, but this Mrs Cullen deserves a place on the list.
Sweet and kind but also fiercely protective, no one wants to get between Esme and her family.
With a standout cast including Chris Pine (Star Trek), Olivia Wilde and Michelle Pfeiffer, People Like Us is a heart-warming family story that everyone can relate to.
People Like Us is released 9th November
Tagged in Elizabeth Banks Harry Potter