Mother, Couch
| Mother, Couch | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Niclas Larsson |
| Written by | Niclas Larsson |
| Based on | Mamma i soffa by Jerker Virdborg |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Chayse Irvin |
| Edited by | Carla Luffe |
| Music by | Christopher Bear |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Box office | $50,163[2] |
Mother, Couch is a 2023 comedy-drama film written and directed by Niclas Larsson. It is based on the 2020 Swedish novel Mamma i soffa by Jerker Virdborg. It stars Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Taylor Russell, Lara Flynn Boyle, Lake Bell, F. Murray Abraham, and Ellen Burstyn.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023. It was released in the United States by Film Movement and Memory on July 5, 2024.
Premise
[edit]While attempting to leave a furniture store, an elderly matriarch suddenly decides to sit on one of the couches and stay there. Her three children come together, as well as the store owners, who all go through a mind-bending journey of self-discovery.
Cast
[edit]- Ewan McGregor as David
- Rhys Ifans as Gruffudd
- Taylor Russell as Bella
- Ellen Burstyn as Mother
- Lara Flynn Boyle as Linda
- F. Murray Abraham as Marcus / Marco
- Lake Bell as Anne[3]
Production
[edit]In July 2022, it was reported that Ellen Burstyn, Ewan McGregor, Taylor Russell, Rhys Ifans, Lara Flynn Boyle, Lake Bell, and F. Murray Abraham had signed on to star in Mother, Couch. Written and directed by Niclas Larsson in his feature film debut, it is an adaptation of the 2020 Swedish novel Mamma i soffa by Jerker Virdborg.[4] Larsson said in an interview: "The book is very different from the film. In fact, the first thing I asked Jerker was how free I could be with the adaptation, and he said, 'Look, steal whatever you want to steal, and go with it.' So that's what I did. I added the locations and set it in America, but I feel it's also very Swedish."[4]
The film was produced by the American-based companies Lyrical Media, Fat City, and Suris/Bishop Films and co-produced by Sweden's Film i Väst and Denmark's Snowglobe.[5] Principal photography began in late October 2022 and took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, over 27 days, primarily on a stage.[6][4] The production was granted a tax rebate of up to $1.75 million by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.[6]
Release
[edit]Mother, Couch, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023.[7][1] It later screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 26.[8][9] In February 2024, Film Movement and Memory acquired US distribution rights to the film.[10] It was released in the United States on July 5, 2024.[11][12]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 41% of 49 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Mother, Couch". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Mother, Couch". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ "Mother, Couch" (PDF). Charades. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c Ntim, Zac (September 8, 2023). "Mother, Couch: Sara Murphy & Niclas Larsson Discuss Their Secretive TIFF Competition Title Starring Ewan McGregor And Taylor Russell". Deadline. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ Hopewell, John (July 31, 2022). "Charades, UTA Board 'Mother, Couch' With Taylor Russell, Ewan McGregor (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Shiff, Blair (October 25, 2022). "This indie film is going to shoot in Charlotte this week". WCNC-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 24, 2023). "TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders Dumb Money, The Holdovers, Rustin; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (July 27, 2023). "Mother, Couch! Starring Taylor Russell & Ewan McGregor Among Titles Set For San Sebastian's New Directors Competition". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Mother, Couch!". San Sebastián International Film Festival. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (February 14, 2024). "Ewan McGregor-Starring Mother, Couch! Lands U.S. Distribution (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "Mother Couch". Film Movement. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ McArdle, Tommy (May 10, 2024). "Ewan McGregor and Ellen Burstyn's Mother, Couch Trailer Teases a Wild Family Feud (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Mother, Couch". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
