Theresa is a Mother
With Edie McClurg, C. Fraser Press, Richard Poe and Elaine Bromka
Theresa McDermott has chased her “ideal” life as an urban-dwelling, punk(ish) singer-songwriter to the very end. She is broke, out of options, and she happens to have a few kids she is raising on her own. Facing eviction and nowhere to go, Theresa packs up her children and what is left of her life and moves back to the small rural town, childhood home, and parents she deliberately ran from a decade ago. Her parents’ mutual misery and depressingly gloomy lives were a “downer” she felt had no place in her fun city life. Yet from the moment Theresa drives back up her old driveway, it is clear that there have been some major changes. Her parents, armed with a plethora of hobbies, a frequently visited hot tub, and a new philosophy, are not exactly the old folks she left behind. Theresa needs a job, her parents need their space and a painful family history needs some closure. Old wounds, unattainable dreams, and some “other things” are exposed as a fractured family works to become whole and a woman with a few kids learns to become a mother.
A few reviews for Theresa is a Mother…
A psychologically rich comedy.
“Truly offbeat in its pacing and willingness to veer off on eccentric tangents. It has an emotional resonance largely due to Press’ vanity-free performance ”
— The Hollywood Reporter
One of the most touching and straight to heart films.
“The film is a classic - a lovely original creation. It gets you at your core and is well-directed, written and acted, as each of the characters mean something and have value and merit.”
— MovieVine
Hysterically funny. Phenomenal ensemble. Must! See!
Delightful is the word to best sum up Theresa is a Mother. The film is an absolute delight. Awkward, random hilarious situation after situation ensues in Theresa but it’s never over the top and it never detracts from the seriousness of the film. Definitely add to your “Must See” list.
— Rogue Cinema
A remarkable independent feature film.
“Between the genuine script and the excellent acting, this movie will leave you laughing throughout while making it hard to fight back the tears. Every scene in this film showed the Press family as masters of storytelling, but what really makes this film enjoyable are the heartwarming emotions, genuine dialogue, and convincing characterization by every actor.”
— West Orlando News
You should see this film.
“Seriously once people see this film they are going to be talking it up and telling their friends they should see it. Don’t be told by your friends that you need to see this film after I’ve already told you. You’ll just hang your head and feel dejected at not having gotten in on the ground floor of something great.”
— Unseen Films
The Press family does an incredible job.
“The cast is outstanding, across the board. C. Fraser Press wrote the screenplay, knows Theresa inside and out, and triumphs in the role. It’s a very fine line between sympathy and quirky, and Press walks that line well. The Press’ direction and use of widescreen is lovely. The scenes of Theresa riding around on a child’s bike looking for work in the small town are nothing short of classic.”
— eFilmCritic