It’s safe to say that the Best Actress competition this year was unlike any other. Nicole Kidman won the Golden Globe, Kristen Stewart was nominated for a BAFTA. On the other hand, Jessica Chastain received a SAG Award before winning the Oscar. All of the nominees in the category, including Britain’s national treasure, Olivia Colman, are gaining popularity as a result of the pandemonium. Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film’s director and co-writer, was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for her performance in The Lost Daughter. As a result, many people are revisiting this recent masterpiece of a film. It demonstrated the necessity of portraying flawed women and mothers.
So here’s a list of films that are similar to it and depict the darker side of what it means to be a mother and a woman.
1. Mildred Pierce (1945)
Director- Michael Curtiz
Mildred Pierce is devoted to her daughters, while Bert Biederhof seeks affection from Maggie Biederhof. Mildred is left to raise the girls by herself after they split up. Veda, the eldest daughter, teases Mildred about the family’s financial difficulties. Mildred responds by suggesting that they create a modest restaurant. While making multiple unsuccessful advances, Wally Fay advises her and introduces her to Monte Beragon. His restaurant becomes the first in a franchise. Monte and Mildred are having an affair. Meanwhile, in order to defraud Ted Forrester’s family of $10,000, money-hungry Veda pretends to be pregnant by him. He rips up the cheque, gets smacked by Veda, and tells her daughter to get out of there.
Mildred returns after her time away to find Veda singing in a shabby club. Mildred agrees to marry Monte in exchange for a third of her enterprises after Veda promises her desired (Monte’s) lifestyle. Something is clearly going on between Veda and Monte. Mildred discovers this only after Monte has sold his portion of the business, effectively bankrupting her. Shots ring out as she arrives at Monte’s seaside mansion to kill him.
2. Mommie Dearest (1981)
Director- Frank Perry
Christina Crawford’s relationship with her adopted mother Joan Crawford is depicted through her eyes. Joan was unable to bear children and was rejected children through traditional adoption agencies in 1940 owing to her twice divorced status and single working position. Joan’s then-boyfriend, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lawyer Greg Savitt, was able to adopt a newborn girl, Christina, the first of Joan’s four adoptive daughters, through a brokerage. Joan believes that her adversity has made her a stronger person, and she resolves that, despite offering the creature pleasures that a wealthy Hollywood actress can afford, she will not coddle Christina or her other children, instead treating Christina more like a rival than a daughter.
Joan’s attitude of Christina is frequently passive-aggressive, spurred by both the highs and lows of her career, the narcissism that comes with being an actor, and, particularly during the low periods, alcohol consumption. Joan, on the other hand, regards Christina’s actions toward her as deliberate provocation. Despite Joan’s physical and mental abuse of Christina over the duration of their relationship, Christina, who frequently questions why Joan adopted her given the abuse, appears to crave her mother’s love until the end.
3. The Favourite (2018)
Director- Yorgos Lanthimos
Early eighteenth century. The French and England are at odds. Duck racing and pineapple eating, on the other hand, are thriving. The throne is occupied by a fragile Queen Anne, and her close friend Lady Sarah rules the country in her place while catering to Anne’s terrible health and erratic behaviour. When a new servant, Abigail, comes, Sarah is charmed by her. Abigail sees a chance to reconnect to her aristocratic roots when Sarah takes her under her wing. As Sarah’s time is consumed by the politics of war, Abigail steps forward to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their growing friendship allows her to pursue her dreams, and she will not be stopped by women, man, politics, or a rabbit.
4. The Father (2020)
Director- Floian Zeller
Anthony, an elderly, octogenarian Londoner suffering from dementia, feels abandoned when his daughter, Anne, informs him that she is relocating to Paris. Anthony is beginning to lose his hold on reality, straining to traverse the hazy terrain of present and past, confused and upset against the backdrop of a twisted perspective and his swift, heartbreaking mental decline. Dear ones, Anthony’s surroundings, and even time itself are being twisted as lost memories and glimpses of clarity provoke unexpected mood swings.
5. Postcards From The Edge (1990)
Director- Mike Nicholas
Suzanne Vale, a substance-addicted Hollywood actress, is on the mend. Her film business demands that she live with her mother, Doris Mann, who was once a celebrity but is now a champion drinker, as a condition of continuing to work with her. This is awful news for her because she has spent years trying to break free from Doris’ shadow, who still treats her like a child. Despite these issues, as well as others involving the men in her life, she begins to see the lighter side of her predicament, and it also occurs to her that moms, like daughters, have mothers.
6. August: Osage County (2013)
Director- John Wells
Violet Weston is cancer-stricken and addicted to medications and alcohol. Her husband has had enough of dealing with her since she is a difficult woman to deal with. Violet’s family gathers, including her middle daughter Ivy, youngest daughter Karen and her new fiancé, eldest daughter Barbara and her teenage daughter, as well as her sister Mattie Fae and her husband and kid. Tensions rise as a result of a family tragedy, and secrets are revealed. Whether they want to or not, the Weston women will be compelled to examine themselves and their lives. In the blazing heat of August, welcome to Osage County, Oklahoma.
