Product Details

• Format: NTSC

Customer Reviews

What would you do...
...if your forty-something daughter told you that she was preparing to kill herself?

The entire movie revolves around a rather maudlin day in which Jesse, played by Sissy Spacek, informs her mother, portrayed by Anne Bancroft, that she plans to take her own life that very evening. No amount of pleading, commiserating, or lamenting on the part of her mother can dissuade this resolute woman from her grim task, which she delays long enough to spend the day and evening with her. The day progresses, and their discussions progress deeper and deeper into Jesse's past, though Jesse never does truly reveal just why she has decided to end her life.

Her mother alternates between resolve and horror, but never calls for help. And at the end, Jesse ignores her mother's frantic pleas, and succeeds.

As the credits scroll, one is left with a profound sense of loss, having watched and become familiar with Sissy's character in the course of the movie.

Prepare to kill yourself?
I would really have liked to have seen this performed live. Nevertheless, beautifully adapted and performed. An unhappy epileptic woman pragmatically prepares to kill herself and puts all her affairs in order. Her mother tries to (unconvincingly) convince her not to do it. The mother has stupid arguements, you wait and wait and wait for her mother to say "I LOVE YOU DON'T DO IT". Compelling, heart breaking and beautifully dark.

Incredible Movie!!
I just happened to watch this movie for the first time on television about 8 years ago and loved it immediately. It was televised again and I made sure to tape it. When watching this movie you cannot help but get engrossed in the lives of Jessie and Thelma Cates. The performances by Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft are convincing and powerful. I will admit that "'Night, Mother" is a sad story, but it's also very interesting. By the end you feel as though you're a part of the Cates family, and feel the pain as Thelma comes to terms, but not quite, with her daughter's suicide. I would highly recommend this movie!!