Whenever my wife and I have a date night at the movies, we face an interesting dilemma.
My wife absolutely loves movies. Romantic comedies, dramas and suspense films are her favorites.
Then there’s me.
I may go to the theater three times a year. Every one of those movies will feature a superhero and lots of things blowing up for no apparent reason.
Since our tastes are completely opposite, we rarely find a movie we can both agree on.
A Chick Flick Doomsday Averted
When my wife and I sat down to watch Mom’s Night Out this past weekend, I expected another two-hour chick flick.
However, the movie quickly put my doomsday predictions to rest. It came out of the gates with a good bit of comedic punch.
Before I knew it, we were an hour into the movie. We were snuggled up and laughing our way through it.
The movie boasts a talented and well-known cast.
Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond appears alongside Sean Astin of The Lord of the Rings and Rudy. The cast also includes Sarah Drew of Grey’s Anatomy and platinum-selling country music star Trace Adkins.
Yet all that talent never overwhelms the story.
All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful evening of dinner and adult conversation. They desperately need a moms’ night out.
To enjoy high heels and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours.
What could go wrong?
At times, the film’s plot stretches belief. However, what comedy nowadays has a completely believable storyline?
Still, this movie is a huge win. You can take anyone in your family and expect them to enjoy it.
Mom’s Night Out will make viewers laugh. It also includes moments many women will recognize from the experience of motherhood.
Even as a guy, I related to the dads as they tried to manage their children.
I have felt the same way while caring for my son on nights when my wife goes out with her friends.
Celebrating the Beautiful Mess of Motherhood
At its core, this movie celebrates motherhood.
People rarely glamorize or celebrate the work of a mom.
Christian moms may also feel pressure to show everyone that their lives and children are perfect.
When you factor all of that in, it is easy to understand why many moms feel they do not measure up.
This story reminds us that none of us are perfect. Jesus simply wants each of us to be who He created us to be.
We are all God’s workmanship, and that is good enough.
Mom’s Night Out works well for a couple’s date night. It is also a great Saturday-afternoon family movie or a fitting choice for a girls’ night out.
Most importantly, it accomplished something few movies manage in our house: My wife and I both enjoyed it.