A lot of family moments happen around a couch. The couch is a great place for families to connect and discuss life’s ups and downs. But in Niclas Larsson’s new, beautifully crafted family drama, “Mother, Couch,” the sofa at the center of the film isn’t in the family home. It’s in a closed furniture store. Yes, that deserves an explanation.
“Mother, Couch” follows the story of David (Ewan McGregor), a man struggling in a variety of different ways. He’s stretched so thin with life’s typical issues—a wife, children, and a troublesome family. His day is further complicated when his mother (Ellen Burstyn) decides to take up residence on a couch in a closing furniture store. For some reason unknown to David, his brother (Rhys Ifans), and furniture store worker (Taylor Russell), she is refusing to remove herself from the couch. And what follows is a moving story about mothers, brothers, sisters, and the family you create.
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Despite its unusual premise, the moments in “Mother, Couch” are endlessly relatable. David has arguments with his brother that are rooted in frustration. He cringes when his older sister (Lara Flynn Boyle) shows up because he knows she’s only going to add to the trouble. More than anything, David is just exasperated by his own life. And that’s where McGregor shines. A lot of the heavy dramatic lifting is done by the veteran actor, and he excels. He carries the film on his back and it’s all the better for it. There’s a moment towards the end where David has just one more emotional eruption and it very easily could have been played in a totally different way. Lesser actors would have done that. But McGregor puts his entire heart and soul into the performance that resonates on beautiful, deep levels.
The rest of the cast is equally up to the task. Particular shine should be given to Russell as furniture store worker Bella. She’s not a part of the family dynamic per se, but everytime she opens her mouth to deliver a line, it’s just coated in sweetness and honesty that you can’t help but fall in love with her. And you understand why this manic family would allow her to play a role in the proceedings.
Unfortunately, there are some actors who aren’t bad, but they’re not given enough meat to chew on, so to speak. Lake Bell does a wonderful job in her thankless role as David’s wife. There are hints that perhaps there’s more to the story of David and his wife, but it’s not entirely fleshed out, which means we don’t see Bell as much as we might like. The same could be said about Burstyn. As the titular mother on the couch, Burstyn is often just relegated to prop in a room with other people talking at her. That said, there is a moment towards the end where she is finally given the chance to flex her acting muscles and she delivers, as you might expect the legendary performer to do.
And it’s definitely the final act where “Mother, Couch” truly shines. There’s ambiguity and a tinge of surrealism in the way the story plays out that is a welcome addition. Too many times, with this sort of family drama, you can see the ending a mile away, but that’s not what happens here. Up until the last minute, you’re wondering what it all means. That might be frustrating for some, but it ultimately makes for a memorable film. “Mother, Couch” is a delightful, sometimes hard-hitting family drama that will stay with you for a long time after you watch. [B+]
“Mother, Couch” is in select theaters now.