The mother-daughter relationship is like no other. It fluctuates at many points and if you’re lucky, you maintain that life-long bond with your mother or daughter that others can only dream of. Even if you're missing that one person in your life, perhaps you have a mother figure who you can share your journey with. Very few films can capture the conflicted nature of having someone who has known you since birth, yet has trouble understanding you as the person you’ve grown into. I can only speak from the perspective of a daughter, but I imagine how difficult it must be to be on the other side of the relationship, to watch a young child experience all of the excitements of girlhood, but coming to terms with the fact that she is not a mini version of yourself. Regardless of the status of your relationship with your mother, I have compiled a list of films that I think would be great to watch this Mother’s Day.

Lady Bird (2017):

The first film that comes to mind when I think about the mother-daughter dynamic is Lady Bird (2017). In this semi-autobiographical film by Greta Gerwig, 17-year-old Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson wants nothing more than to leave her hometown of Sacramento to live the life of an artist on the East Coast. Despite her wild spirit, her mother, Marion, often reminds her of the brutal and realistic side of life as she struggles to make ends meet. As Lady Bird finishes her senior year at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic High School, she overcomes many obstacles involving her relationships with her friends, family, and teachers, all while constantly butting heads with her mother. While the two of them have a tight bond, their different priorities often result in familiar quarrels and a suppression of intense emotions. Raw and filled with relatable characters, Lady Bird will leave you laughing and crying as you sympathize with both sides of this tumultuous mother-daughter relationship.

Bend it Like Beckham (2002):

Representative of many South Asian girls who want to explore the world, Bend it Like Beckham (2002) is a classic tale of a young girl fighting cultural norms to pursue a male-dominated career. Jasminder, who goes by Jaz, sneaks out every day to play soccer while also balancing the domestic lifestyle her mother wants for her. She’s also forced to help with her older sister’s wedding preparations and must endure the nosey family friends who make her out to be the worst daughter. Struggling with being a third-culture kid Jaz leans on her friends and coach while she fights for her love of soccer. Jaz faces a mother who thinks sports is unladylike and a father who doesn’t want her to face discrimination in the athletic world like he did so many years ago. One of Gurinder Chadha’s best films, Jaz’s story shows the unique conflict of growing up in a traditional family while also wanting to see what the world has to offer.

Home Again (2017):

Often portraying independent and ambitious characters, Reese Witherspoon stars in this tale about a 40-year-old mother navigating a new romance while raising her two young daughters. Witherspoon’s character, Alice Kinney, attempts to jumpstart a career as an interior designer while she houses three aspiring filmmakers who are looking for a producer for their next movie. Home Again (2017) shows interactions between mothers and daughters of multiple generations, the struggles of starting new chapters in life, and the risks of venturing into new relationships. Each of the female characters has their own obstacles to overcome and with the help of these new gentleman in their lives, they rise to the occasion. What I love most about this film is the relationships characters of different ages form and how they inspire each other to pursue their dreams. Filled with dynamic characters, this film tells its audience that it’s never too late to turn a new leaf and it’s never too early to delve into your passions.

Look Both Ways (2022):

Look Both Ways (2022) follows Natalie Bennett as she explores two parallel realities: one as a young mother and one as a junior animator. Through these two paths, two different lives unfold for Natalie. Different themes are explored throughout her journeys such as the trials of motherhood as a single mom, experiencing your first career-focused job, and dealing with the uncertainty of being a college grad. This film shows that being a mother and having a career are not independent of each other and that landing your dream job doesn’t always lead to happiness. Filled with feelings of frustration, confusion, and despair, Look Both Ways is a modern film for women who are just starting their adult lives as well as moms who have a passion that they’re still thinking about well into motherhood. What resonates with me in this film is that the protagonist wants to move to California and be a computer animator, much like I do, but in one reality she lands the job but is unhappy and in the other reality her life takes a detour and she must put off her ambitions. These are two of my biggest fears, one more so than the other, but this film is still inspirational and demonstrates that no matter where your life takes you, you can still do what you love.

The Fabelmans (2022):

Heavily based on the life of acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans (2022) tells the story of how Sammy Fabelman finds his love for making movies. Looking at this film from a different perspective, it also highlights his biggest supporter, his mom, who lends him the camera that started it all. This lengthy film gives the audience more than enough time to examine each character, but the protagonist’s mother, Mitsky Fabelman, steals the spotlight with her eccentric behavior, motherly drive, and amazing piano skills. She’s always trying to do what’s best for the family but eventually chooses to live for herself. Throughout Sammy's childhood, Mitsky encourages him to showcase his creative side through his home-made films, but their relationship is still far from perfect. They face their own set of mother-son obstacles, but they continue to confide in each other as they navigate their various passions. Being a mother to four kids, wife to a successful computer engineer, and daughter to a supportive mother, Mitsky has her fair share of angry moments, pent-up frustration, and periods of grief. Still, she powers through with her positive attitude to navigate the evolving relationships she has with the people she loves. One of her most memorable quotes is when she tells Sammy, “You don’t owe anyone your life, not even me”. Filled with the magic of movie-making and interesting relationship dynamics, The Fabelmans is a great watch to see how one woman fills the roles of mother, wife, daughter, and best friend.

Peppermint (2018):

One of the most heart-wrenching films I’ve ever seen, Peppermint (2018) shows the lengths one woman will go to to avenge the death of what mattered to her most: her family. Riley North, played by Jennifer Garner, tries her best to support her 10-year-old daughter, Carly, while she and her husband struggle to make ends meet. When her daughter and husband are both violently taken from her and the courts fail to bring them justice, she takes matters into her own hands and tracks down every single person she blames, executing them one by one. Fighting the homelessness caused by a corrupt lawyer and evading law enforcement, Riley becomes a vigilante to those who learn of her story. Venturing on this journey alone, Peppermint demonstrates just how strong a mother’s love can be and how their actions can affect not just their family, but entire communities.

Blinded by the Light (2019):

Gurinder Chadha does a great job of examining the effects that South Asian mothers have on their children because along with the revolutionary film that is Bend it Like Beckham, comes Blinded by the Light (2019). While the main relationship shown in this film is between Javed and his father, there’s no doubting the impact that Javed’s mother, Noor, has on the Khan family. Between being the sole provider of the family, planning her eldest daughter’s wedding, and mediating arguments, Noor is always seen as taking care of her family. Much like other women in South Asian households, she is the backbone of the family. She fills the roles of seamstress, hair stylist, and most importantly, mother. Through this film set in the late 1987 Luton, England, the audience gets a glimpse at how mothers are the ones who are the most affected by family dynamics such as how Noor bears the burden of financially supporting her family when her husband is laid off as well as facing the results of racism in their small community. The effects of generational trauma and being a woman from a traditional background are also explored as Noor is caught in the middle of family conflicts and attempts to keep everyone together.

Wonder (2017):

Another brilliant film where Jennifer Garner plays a resilient mother, Wonder (2017) tells the chronicles of a young boy named Auggie Pullman as he overcomes the adversities that come with starting middle school, adversities that are exacerbated by the fact that he was born with a facial deformity and has never attended public school. Home-schooling Auggie his entire life is his mother, Isabel Pullman, played by Garner. She is always there to pick up the pieces for Auggie, resulting in a strained relationship with her older daughter, Liv. While Liv adores her younger brother and understands why he is often the center of the family’s attention, she can’t help but feel ignored, especially when it comes to her relationship with her mother. Liv’s best friend, Miranda, also has her own set of family problems as her parents are going through a divorce She has always considered herself part of the Pullman family, however, until jealousy and the start of high school causes her and Liv to drift apart. Wonder not only showcases the relationship between mother and son, but mother and daughter. It also explores the idea of chosen family and how women of multiple generations hold each other close. Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, Wonder is full of touching moments and shows how one woman can be a mom to so many different people.

Swallow (2019):

Admittedly a little strange at first, Swallow (2019) narrates the lengths one recently married woman will go to to gain a sense of control. Hunter Conrad keeps her husband happy by maintaining the house and pleasing her in-laws. Yet, he remains unavailable because he is too preoccupied with his family’s company and keeping their picture-perfect image intact. Due to unresolved childhood trauma and feeling emotionally suffocated, Hunter develops an unhealthy habit that quickly escalates. After her husband and in-laws discover her new obsession and attempt to send her away to avoid shame on the family name, she must decide what she wants for her future. This unique story shows the unusual coping mechanisms people can develop and one woman’s journey to resolve the compounded trauma that plagues her life. This film shows how trauma stemming from parents, particularly mothers, can become generational curses if they’re not resolved. Modern and daring in a way that no other 21st-century film is, Swallow shows the shift from the default lifestyle of being a mother to discovering independence and controlling your narrative.

Something from Tiffany’s (2022):

Something from Tiffany’s (2022) is a classic love story about two couples who are ill-matched, but it also touches on topics such as grief, motherhood, and the relationship between the two. Rachel, played by Zoey Deutch, is a bakery owner who is in a relationship with a guy named Gary while Ethan is a single dad who has been seeing Vanessa, played by Shay Mitchell. Each man gets his partner a Christmas gift from the iconic Tiffany’s, but one car accident later, the gifts get swapped accidentally, forever altering the courses of the lives involved. Each couple must work through this mishap as they cross paths in New York, all while reevaluating their plans for the future. Unexpected bonds form as Ethan’s daughter, Daisy, bonds with Rachel over her mother's death and as Rachel reveals to Ethan why she became a baker in the first place. Something from Tiffany’s explores themes of reflecting on past relationships, especially those with mothers, building new relationships, and welcoming new mother figures into your life.

All of these films have something new to offer and while they would be great to watch at any time, they showcase the huge roles mothers have in society and various cultures. Ranging from traditional households to contemporary families, maternal figures are constantly changing, especially in how they are represented in films. If you enjoy any of these films, leave a comment below before following me on Letterboxd to stay up-to-date with my watches!