Edinburgh International Film Festival 2019: BEST FILM NOMINEE
Beloved British artist L.S. Lowry (Timothy Spall) lived all his life with his over-bearing mother Elizabeth (Vanessa Redgrave). Bed-ridden and bitter, Elizabeth actively tried to dissuade her bachelor son from pursuing his artistic ambitions, whilst never failing to voice her opinion at what a disappointment he was to her.
Within three or four short exchanges she establishes Mrs Lowry as one of the great maternal monsters of cinema, up there with Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest" or Piper Laurie in "Carrie".
"A fascinating if sometimes repetitive account of an emotionally abusive relationship between mother and son."
"Timothy Spall's performance is a sterling study of understatement and pent-up frustration opposite a bed-bound Venessa Redgrave, who plays his domineering, ego-crushing horror of a mother."
"An essay on family, and life, by two of the greatest living actors."
"A fascinating if sometimes repetitive account of an emotionally abusive relationship between mother and son."
"Timothy Spall's performance is a sterling study of understatement and pent-up frustration opposite a bed-bound Venessa Redgrave, who plays his domineering, ego-crushing horror of a mother."
"An essay on family, and life, by two of the greatest living actors."