Four Mothers

“Edward” (James McArdle) is a gay thirty-something whose new novel has his publishers desperate for him to go on a book tour of the USA. Thing is, he has his elderly mum to look after. “Anna” (Fionnula Flanagan) has been suffering from the after effects of a stroke that have left her mobility impaired and without the power of speech. Just to further complicate his scenario, she is being nursed by “Raf” (Gaetan Garcia) who just happens to be his ex, and about to set up home with another fella. He concludes that maybe putting her in a home for a few weeks whilst he travels might work, but before he has a chance to put that plan into action three of his best mates announce that they are going to a Pride event in Spain and when he returns home one evening, discovers that they have each left their own mothers for his tender care. He is not happy, neither is his mother nor any of their new guests who proceed to expect the best B&B Dublin has to offer! Whilst he struggles with this mother of a plate-juggling exercise, he embarks of a bit of a trip of self-discovery while we watch from the comfort of our seat thanking the maker that this isn’t happening to us! There is something predictable about the story, but along the way we do watch some enjoyable characterisations from Flanagan (and a bell that only an eedjit would ever have given her) as well as typically stoic and practical Irish personas from Dearbhla Molloy, Stella McCusker and from Galway’s very own “Madame Arcati” - “Maura” (Niamh Cusack) who put some fine icing on this cake of ridiculousness. It takes a pop at just about everything from the pomposity of the literature world through modern attitudes to age, infirmity and sexuality; health care, the afterlife and showcases proudly a population that has all too willingly unshackled itself from an Ireland they are all glad to leave behind - even if some are less embracing of their gay sons than others. There’s loads of sarcasm and observational wit from the script and McArdle - who spends a fair degree of this sleeping in his car - works well with his feisty and sagely houseguests. Will he get to the USA though? Good fun, this.

Wants to be heartfelt, but it doesn’t know how. The actors clearly want to do more—especially Fionnula Flanagan, who does more without any dialogue than most do with lines—but the script keeps undercutting them. Every moment of sincerity gets followed by a quip from a sitcom. It can’t decide if it’s a comedy or a tragedy, and ends up being neither. The tonal whiplash extends to the visuals too, jumpy editing and awkward handheld shots doing little. It’s not bad, but just frustratingly bland.