'Serial Mom' is a great comedy and a thoroughly entertaining film, exploiting to the full the talents of Kathleen Turner. She delivers a highly fun and amusing performance, from the start presenting the viewer with the image of a unique and humorous character. The film is set in 1990s America with an apparently perfect household, ran by an apparently perfect housewife. However, this illusion is soon shattered and a somewhat more sinister appearance becomes apparent- that of Mrs. Beverley Sutphin and her morbid behaviour. Her murderous exploits are not sick, but funny, so this film is not one for those with a humour based on light-hearted themes. She lives a dual life with a split personality and psychopathic tendencies- her constant and extreme changes from pleasant, loving lady to crazy killer adds to the entertainment value. The acting is not always superb from all the actors, but this is not really detrimental, as it matters little with a comedy, as opposed to a drama.The facial expressions and alternative voices of Kathleen Turner certainly provide entertainment however. The plot is not the most imaginative or original, but the film is not based on the excellence of the direction or storyline but on its comedy and entertainment value. However, I believe it is a well-made film, with all the trappings of a classic comedy film, but for those who don't like bad language, don't watch it! I would recommend this movie to all those liking a good American comedy without the usual teen/rom-com elements and to those who wish to view a quality, watchable black comedy. The DVD's extra is the original theatrical trailer, but there are no other special features apart from scene selection and the interactive menu.
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(+) Because of the new series the box set isn't complete, which means it will be cheaper! (-) It isnt the complete box set so you'll have to buy the new dvds seperatly or wait for the new set!
Production Year: 2003 - Comedy - Director: John Crowley - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Colin Farrell, Shirley Henderson, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney, Rory Keenan, Laurence Kinlan
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Re-rated based on Ciao's insistence that such reviews are no longer considered "Off Topic"
Soho_Black 12.09.2008 15:30
Good overview of the film, although I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD features. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" above the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
bandcamp 25.08.2008 14:49
good review although since you've said it's the DVD you're reviewing and not the film only, it would be great if you mentioned what the DVD extras were, to be even more useful for readers.
InSerial Momdirector John Waters creates a wickedly funny--and nasty--comedy starring ... more
Kathleen Turner as the ultimate suburbanite: a woman so obsessed with suburban perfection that she kills a neighbour for not separating her recyclables. Hubby Sam Wat...
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Advantages: Good laughs, high hearted angle on a serious true story Disadvantages: Characters sometimes very predictable, Acting not superb at all times.
cartwrightb 25.09.2004 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Serial Mom (DVD)
Advantages: Good laughs, high hearted angle on a serious true story Disadvantages: Characters sometimes very predictable, Acting not superb at all times.
cartwrightb 25.09.2004 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Serial Mom (DVD)
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