Mothering Sunday (film)

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Mothering Sunday
Mothering sunday xlg.jpg
Film poster
Directed byEva Husson
Screenplay byAlice Birch
Based onMothering Sunday
by Graham Swift
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJamie Ramsay
Edited byEmilie Orsini
Music byMorgan Kibby
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release dates
  • 9 July 2021 (2021-07-09) (Cannes)
  • 12 November 2021 (2021-11-12) (United Kingdom)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Mothering Sunday is a 2021 British romantic drama film, directed by Eva Husson, from a screenplay by Alice Birch, based on the novel of the same name by Graham Swift. The film stars Odessa Young, Josh O'Connor, Olivia Colman, and Colin Firth.

Set in the wake of World War I the film follows the life of Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young), an orphaned maid who spends Mothering Sunday with her wealthy lover.

Mothering Sunday had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 9 July 2021.

Plot[]

Jane Fairchild is a maid who works for the wealthy Niven family. On Mothering Sunday Jane is given the day off to spend as she likes. To her surprise Paul Sheringham, a wealthy neighbour, invites her over to spend the day with him while his parents, the Nivens, and the Hobdays have lunch together.

Paul and Jane have been having a secret sexual affair for years, since Jane's arrival at the Niven's estate. However Paul is due to marry Emma Hobday, a woman in his social circle who was once unofficially engaged to Paul's older brother James, who died in The Great War. Both Paul and Emma have mixed feelings about their engagement but feel compelled to marry nevertheless.

At the Sheringham estate Jane and Paul have sex before Paul leaves to join his family and fiancée for lunch. He leaves Jane alone at his estate and she wanders naked through the house examining how he lives before leaving.

Later in her life Jane becomes a writer and marries Donald, a philosopher whom she meets while working at a book shop. He asks her how she became a writer and she lists her birth and the gift of a typewriter as two inciting incidents, keeping the third to herself.

The third incident occurred on Mothering Sunday after Jane returned home. She runs into Godfrey Niven who informs her that Paul died in a car crash. He asks Jane to accompany him to Paul's home where Mr. Niven suspects there might have been a suicide note. Instead the maid there has already returned early and has cleaned up all traces of Paul and Jane's tryst.

Later in their marriage Jane and Donald learn that Donald has cancer and is dying. He tells her that his death will perhaps fuel her to write her best work and laments the fact that he will be unable to read it. Before he dies Donald begs Jane to tell him about the third incident but she instead tells him she loves him.

Years later when she is an old woman Jane is approached by members of the press after she wins a prestigious literary award. She is unimpressed as she has won numerous literary prizes.

Cast[]

Production[]

In June 2020, it was announced Odessa Young, Josh O'Connor, Olivia Colman and Colin Firth had joined the cast of the film, with Eva Husson directing from a screenplay by Alice Birch.[2] In September 2020, Sope Dirisu joined the cast of the film, with Lionsgate set to distribute in the United Kingdom.[3]

Principal photography began in September 2020.[4] In May 2021, it was reported that Glenda Jackson would appear in the film.[5]

Release[]

In September 2020, Sony Pictures Classics acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[6]

Mothering Sunday had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 9 July 2021.[7] It will have its US premiere at the Hamptons International Film Festival.[8] It is scheduled to be released in the United States on 19 November 2021.[9]

Reception[]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 78% based on 65 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[11]

At the 2021 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, it won the award for Outstanding Female-Led Feature.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Mothering Sunday". Cannes Film Festival. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (25 June 2020). "'Mothering Sunday': Odessa Young, Josh O'Connor, Olivia Colman & Colin Firth Set For Drama From 'Carol' Producers & 'Succession' Scribe — Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  3. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (22 September 2020). "'Mothering Sunday': Lionsgate UK & 'Gangs Of London' Star Sope Dirisu Join Odessa Young, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth & Olivia Colman In Number 9 Films Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  4. ^ MacNab, Geoffrey (18 September 2020). "Cameras roll on 'Mothering Sunday' as UK industry welcomes "single biggest indemnity fund in the world"". Screen International. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  5. ^ Ritman, Alex (26 May 2021). "Glenda Jackson Honored With BIFA's Richard Harris Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (23 September 2020). "Sony Pictures Classics Acquires 'Mothering Sunday' Starring Colin Firth, Olivia Colman & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  7. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2021". Cannes Film Festival. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  8. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (1 September 2021). "'Mothering Sunday' Sets U.S. Premiere at Hamptons International Film Festival". Variety.
  9. ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (6 August 2021). "'Mothering Sunday': Sony Pictures Classics Sets Late Fall Debut For British Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Mothering Sunday". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Mothering Sunday Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  12. ^ Donald Macdonald, "Sudbury entertainment briefs: New novel; Cinefest awards". Sudbury Star, 12 November 2021.

External links[]

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