Waitress. This quirky 2007 dark comedy is exactly Betty Crocker's cup of feminist batter. The film clearly displays the causes dear to Betty C's heart: the creative outlet and opportunity available in the domestic arts, as well as the empowering strength (not weakness) of becoming of a mother. The plot begins as the struggling waitress Jenna is trying to enter a pie-baking contest to win money to escape her insufferable, infant husband Earl. In other words, Jenna's domestic skills-pie making-become not her noose, but her magical key out of her trapped life.
But Jenna takes a few wrong turns along the way, namely getting knocked up. Once she gets pregnant, Jenna is resentful, making concoction such as "Damn Baby Pie"and flirting with her handsome doctor. Not exactly the stuff Mother's Day movies are made of.
In the end though, it is the surprise twist at the compote-sweet ending with Baby Lulu that reveal that, while Jenna's pie-making skills gave her the tools to escape, only her fierce unexpected love for her new baby gave her the strength. Standout Mother's Day Line: "We are going to have so much fun! So much fun!"
Veronica Guerin. Steeped in cause feminism, Veronica Guerin tells the true story of a dogged Irish reporter and devoted mother who is murdered while attempting to expose the drug crimes in mid '90;s Ireland. Giving equal play to her political side and her maternal side, the film reveals Veronica is inspired to expose the drug dealers after watching children play with hypodermic needles in a slum.
Played spectacularly by Cate Blanchett, the movie realistically showcases the sacrifices Veronica must make as a woman with both professional and domestic responsibilities. Displaying Betty-Ford worthy dedication to her cause, Guerin follows up onher case despite death threats to herself and her young son, despite having gun shots fired at her home, and despite being shot in the leg when she unknowingly answered the door to a riled up druglord. Bringing grim light to the term "working mother," one moment Guerin is grilling a kingpin, the next she's dancing goofily with her son and husband. In one scene, Guerin makes her husband promise to never admit to having seen her afraid.
Like Betty Ford, Veronica Guerin's work had far-reaching political and legal implica
tions, including the establishment of the Criminal Assets Burea
u in 1996.
After her death, furious citizens sprang into actions, organizing anti-drug marches in the street. Standout Mother's Day Line: "If you saw those kids in the street, you'd do the same."
Marie Antoinette. Betty Spaghetti firmly supports the girly side of feminism, and this movie is nothing if not a Betty Draper-worthy orgy of girlishness. Cupcakes, tiny shoes, lilacs and teapots grace this glorious celebration of feminine decadence, created by the genius Sophia Coppola.
In true Betty Draper fashion, this film explores the intersection between "princess" status and the frustration, boredom, and lack of individual identity that stems from marrying into power. In terms of Mother's Day, the idyllic scene between Marie Antoinette and her daughter Marie Therese at her village Petit Trianon is the stuff precious moments are made of. It doesn't get much sweeter than picking raspberries and feeding baby lambs in the field. A gorgeous soundtrack is just icing on the cupcake. Standout Mother's Day Line: "You are not what France wanted, but you are no less dear to me."
Mr. Mom. For Betty Freidan, no Mother's Day movie would do except for a movie in which a man takes on a traditional caretaker role while mom goes out and does the breadwinning.A Desperate Housewife before his time, Michael Keaton tries to salvage his masculinity by playing poker for ten cent off coupons while his wife Teri Garr goes to work as an ad executive. Corny lesson-learning and cliched gender roles ensue, but this is still a groundbreaking movie considered it was made in 1983. Standout Mother's Day line: "Katie! Don't paint your sister!
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