Crappy Mother’s Day

In addition to Sarah, James, Dorothy, Totie, and Dimpy, also at the party are Sarah’s uncles, Lenny (John Rutkoski) and Donny (Mike Rutkoski), two man-children that are introduced to us in superhero costumes, Aunt Sunny (Marie Lenzi), with whom Dorothy is in constant conflict, and Sarah’s father, Rodger (Louis Mustillo), a man whom Sarah has told her mother is dead (I’m sensing a pattern here). But he’s alive and shows up at Dorothy’s house with his statuesque Russian girlfriend, Oda (Ruya Koman).

A movie of this type often depends, more or less, on caricature. The cast of eccentrics surrounding the straight character, here represented by Sarah, can usually be relied upon to provide the comedic element, whether broad or subtle. There is nothing subtle in Crappy Mother’s Day. The screenplay has its share of one-liners, such as this gem: Dimpy to James: “Thank you.” James: “For what?” Dimpy: “I was constipated, but now you’re boring the s**t out of me.” But for the most part, the comedy is based on the loopiness of the characters.

“…a sweetly innocuous reminder that, for better or worse, home is where the heart is.”

In that regard, the character of Dorothy must be singled out. Watching Landau as Dorothy is worth the price of admission alone: she is far and away the best character in the entire film. Played with just the right amount of grandmotherly instigation and shrillness to not be insufferable, yet combined with love, Landau easily steals every scene she is in. Whether she is sizing up James or going at it with Sunny, her facial expressions are spectacular, and she has all of the best moments. I would watch a wholly separate movie with her alone as the main character, or, for that matter, the only character.

Crappy Mother’s Day doesn’t reinvent the “family reunion” narrative in any significant way. Rather, it is an energetic, warm-hearted, and shiny tale intended to do nothing more than put a smile on you and your mom’s face. So go hug your mother and then watch this film!