BAD MOMS

Moms unite, overwhelmed mother of four, Kiki (Kristen Bell), distraught mom Amy (Mila Kunis) and single mom Carla (Kathryn Hahn).

BAD MOMS

By Marlene Ardoin

“Bad Moms” teaches us that it is OK to say “no” to your kids and to other adults. Amy Mitchell (Mila Kunis), as a distraught mom, becomes really good at this.  It comes down to a choice between maintaining her sanity and or developing fibro myalgia from jangled nerves. 

Amy learns about boundaries the hard way.   And, she is not the only one who needs to learn it.  She meets two other moms at a local bar, single mom Carla (Kathryn Hahn) and overwhelmed mother of four, Kiki (Kristen Bell).  They click as friends, who have each other’s back.  They rebuild each other’s self-esteem.  You do not have to be a mom to identify with these women.

Enter super mom and PTA President, domineering bully Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate), who can afford to have Martha Stewart cater her parties. As the story progresses, we find that this adversary really lives in a paper house.

How do you defeat a bully? You have to defeat them.  There is no other way. 

OK, so now you are the PTA President, now what? Do you go on giving shitty wine parties? Your kids are fixing their own breakfasts, but who taught them how to make that fancy frittata?  Someone needs to fill in the missing pieces.  Your kids have not been this way before, and you have.  Either you teach them or someone else will.  Some parents actually think raising their own kids is something like putting on shitty wine parties.  Let’s have a drink in front of the web-cam.

I loved this film, because I think that the scrutiny of moms and teachers, for that matter, has gone too far. They are human beings, not robots.  Most newly minted moms are still in the process of growing up themselves.  Give them a hand, not worn out hate and judgment.

Amy’s kids are nice. Manners are important. Amy has taught them to be aware of the feelings and needs of others.  No life-long narcissists here.  Amy’s husband, Mike (David Walton), on the other hand, is her third child.  He is caught sexually vaping in front of a web-cam.  

This story will ultimately leave you with a final sense of relief, relaxation, and release of guilt, blame and shame. Mila Kunis really has the Ashton Kutcher comedic style down, effortlessly cool, but unassuming. This is a must see back to school from me.

8/11/2016 # Bad Moms