Whenever my wife and I have a date night to the movies we are faced with an interesting dilemma. My wife absolutely loves movies. Romantic comedy, drama, suspense movies are her favorites. Then there’s me. I maybe go to the theater 3 times a year and every single one of those flicks will feature a superhero and lots of things blowing up for absolutely no apparent reason. Since our preferences in films are completely opposite from one another, we rarely find a movie we can both agree on.
So when my wife and I sat down to watch Mom’s Night Out this past weekend, I was certain that I was doomed to another 2 hour chick flick. However, all my doomsday predictions were quickly put to rest as Mom’s Night Out came out of the gates with a good bit of comedic punch. Before I knew it, my wife and I were an hour into the movie, snuggled up and laughing our way through this movie.
The movie boasts a talented and well-known cast: Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond), Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Rudy), Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy) and even platinum selling country music star Trace Adkins. Yet, with all that talent, the story isn’t lost on the movie-goer:
All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? MOMS’ NIGHT OUT is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.
At times, this film has a plot that is less than believable, but what comedy nowadays has a 100% believable story line? Yet, this movie is a huge win in the fact that this is a comedy that you can take anyone in your family to and they can enjoy it. Mom’s Night Out is a film that has you laughing at times but it also has aspects that many women will find themselves relating to in being a mom. Even as a guy, I found myself relating to the dads in the movie as I try to manage taking care of my own son on those nights when my wife is out with her friends.
The core of this movie is to celebrate motherhood. Being a mom is a job that is rarely glamorized or celebrated. Even on a deeper level, there’s the pressure as a Christian mom to have to show everyone that your life is perfect and your kids are perfect. When you factor that all in, it is easy to see why many moms feel like they don’t measure up. This story reminds us that none of us are perfect and Jesus simply wants each and every one of us to be who He created us to be. It is a reminder that we’re all God’s masterpiece and that’s good enough.
This movie is a perfect date night movie for a couple, a great movie to take the family to on a Saturday afternoon or even for a great girls’ night out. Be sure to look for Mom’s Night Out as it comes out on May 9.