Mother

Mother (1996) is Albert Brooks' bittersweet comedy, available to watch online on iFILM. Twice-divorced sci-fi writer John Henderson can't make a relationship last, so he moves back in with his mom to figure out exactly why.

His theory is as simple as it is absurd: fix things with mother and every other woman will fall into place. He reclaims his childhood bedroom, launches what he calls an "experiment," and slowly realizes he never paid attention to her own life, her disappointments or her quiet stubbornness. Debbie Reynolds plays her with a lethal politeness that hides an ocean of things unsaid, while golden-boy younger brother Jeff (Rob Morrow) keeps stirring the pot. Lisa Kudrow turns up in a small role.

Brooks is a master of squirming, all-too-familiar humor, and here the laughs arrive through ache — a grown son finally seeing his mother as a person. A small, talky comedy for anyone who prefers sharp conversation to car chases. Stream Mother (1996) online on iFILM.