Stars: Sarah Drew, Sean Astin, Patricia Heaton, Trace Adkins, Dave Hunt, Andrea Logan White, Robert Amaya, Abbie Cobb, Harry Shum Jr., Alex Kendrick, Anjelah Johnson, Kevin Downes, Manwell Reves, Sammi Hanratti, Jason Burkey, and Brad Heller.
Mom's Night Out (Affirm Films, Provident Films) is directed by Jon and Andrew Erwin, written by Jon Erwin and Andrea Gyertson Nasfell, and produced by Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin, Elizabeth Hatcher-Travis, Michael Scott, and David A.R. White. It is distributed by TriStar Pictures.
My Review: Mom's Night Out is one of the most delightful comedies I have seen in years. It was pure joy to sit through a film that was not filled with crude, raunchy, vulgar "humor" or language. I honestly had doubts about even attending; my thoughts were "chick flick" (not a huge fan), the "dad is inept" routine (whose popularity is what led me to quit watching television comedies years ago), and how rare comedy is with faith-based films. I seldom cry or laugh at films, in theaters anyway, but I laughed out loud during much of this film. Best part? I laughed at loud because it genuinely appealed to my sense of humor. Sadly, I have been known to laugh out loud because a film is poorly written or made, but this film is simply funny.
During the past couple of days, I have read some bad reviews of the film, and I want to address those. The ones I have read have been written by people who apparently attack any film that has Christianity shown in a positive light (and Mom's Night Out is by no stretch of the imagination an evangelical film), stay at home moms (the laments by some of the reviewers about Allyson's lack of employment are a humorous read themselves), and those who actually seem to feel a need for raunchy humor and crude language. I have read a few comments about it being "sexist"; I saw couples I recognize----partners who know that marriage is not 50/50 but 100/100, and that sometimes one needs a bit more support (and it works both ways). Instead of seeing a small slice of life, these reviewers have completely defined people based on one storyline.
I remember having a 'come-apart' a couple of times when a house full of children, especially pre-schoolers, got overwhelming. That is a part of who I am, but not the complete person. Understand what I mean? So, I could completely relate to the film and various characters in it. Some parts edged toward 'screwball comedy', which I happen to love, but sometimes you need to suspend belief for a while. So, take a break, relax, and enjoy!
Loved the film, the writing, the acting...and the location---Birmingham, Alabama!! I highly recommend this film.
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Thanks to Affirm Films for providing me with a ticket to a prescreening via FlyBy Promotions. I was not required to give a review in exchange, but opted to on my own. All opinions are my own.
