Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter (1979)

Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter Poster

A woman, who had left home 20 years previously under acrimonious circumstances, finds out that she is terminally ill. She returns home and tries to rebuild her relationship with her embittered mother before she dies.

Film Overview
"Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter" is a drama motion picture that aired on television in 1979. Directed by Milton Katselas, the movie explores the intense relationship between a mother and child who reconnect after twenty years of estrangement. The main cast includes highly appreciated stars of American cinema, including Bette Davis as the mother and Gena Rowlands as her daughter.

Plot Summary
The story opens with Beatrice (Bette Davis), a widowed female, understanding she is alone and aging. She decides to move from Massachusetts to Los Angeles to reconnect with her daughter, Lucy (Gena Rowlands). Although Lucy isn't completely receptive to the idea of her mom relocating, she still welcomes her at her home.

The film's central style focuses on the mother-daughter relationship as both the mom and daughter need to browse their method through years of misconceptions and dissatisfactions that have actually kept them apart. The tension becomes palpable as Beatrice's abrasive and controlling nature clashes with Lucy's independent outlook.

Lucy, who has grown and shaped her life alone, discovers it intrusive and difficult to handle her mom's dominant habits. However, Beatrice, the conservative and older generation, is truly having a hard time to suit Lucy's modern way of life.

Secret Themes
"Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter" plunges audiences into the sometimes harsh realities that fractured familial relationships can bring, specifically in between moms and daughters. The film mainly deals with themes of solitude, family characteristics, and the large space of generations that eventually leads to conflicts.

Both Beatrice and Lucy face their previous selves and choices as they try to reconcile their damaged bond. The film intensely depicts the emotional subtleties of estrangement and reunion, thus promoting deep emotional responses from the audience.

Throughout the movie, viewers witness the power characteristics present in this mother-daughter relationship, such as the struggle for dominance and control. Overall, the film depicts an unfiltered truth of strained family relationships, exploration of strong female characters and generation gaps.

Important Reception
The film amassed attention primarily due to the very gifted leads. The efficiency of Bette Davis as the prideful mom was praised, and Gena Rowlands' characterization of the independent and reserved child was equally admired. Both stars explore their functions wtih stunning realism, making their characters relatable and easy to feel sorry for. Nevertheless, amidst the exceptional portrayals of mother-daughter characteristics, the movie was critiqued for prospective underdevelopment of secondary characters and thematic connections.

Conclusion
"Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter" is a tale of reconciliation where previous events are faced to fix the relationship. Despite numerous mood shifts, remarkable fights, and heartfelt expression in between Beatrice and Lucy, they ultimately discover a commonalities of understanding, revealing the possibility of redeveopment in relationships. The film is an emotional exploration that provides an unusual, sensitive, and genuine view of the parent-child dynamic from a mature viewpoint, making it a beneficial expect any classic film lover.

Top Cast

  • Bette Davis (small)
    Bette Davis
    Lucy Mason
  • Gena Rowlands (small)
    Gena Rowlands
    Abigail Mason
  • Ford Rainey (small)
    Ford Rainey
    Mr. Meecham
  • Donald Moffat (small)
    Donald Moffat
    Wally Ball
  • Whit Bissell (small)
    Whit Bissell
    Dr. Henry Blodgett
  • Royal Dano (small)
    Royal Dano
    Mr. Willis
  • Kate Riehl
    Mrs. Brighton
  • Krishan Timberlake
    Louis Spencer
  • Renee McDonell
    Joan Spencer
  • Sally Kemp (small)
    Sally Kemp
    Mildred Sloate
  • Don Fosse
    Bartender