I Remember Mama (1948)

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Blistering performances.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

There is not one thing that I can say to detract from the quality of this film. That it was George Stevens' first film after returning from the horrors he witnessed in WWII speaks volume. On the surface it is a slice of Americana, but like Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life", it is so much more. It is about a family's survival, orchestrated by its loving and wise matriarch, portrayed here in her penultimate screen role by Irene Dunne. She is surrounded by an embarrassment of acting riches: Cedric Hardwicke, Oscar Holmolka (who as Uncle Chris almost steals the show), Rudy Vallee, Barbara O'Neill, Ellen Corby, Edgar Bergen, and Philip Dorn. Each occupies his or her role so completely that we forget that they are acting and we accept them as we would members of our own family. Mama is no nonsense and she has the smarts that it takes to keep the wolf from the door and to see to it that her large brood succeeds in life. There is no sacrifice too great. The scene where she offers her top secret meatball recipe to Florence Bates' snooty editor in exchange for the latter's promise to review Katrin's story is a tour de force by both Dunne and Bates. This film is woven like a tapestry and like the work of art it is, the viewer can find something new in it each time it is watched. That is the mark of a great film. To be sure, Irene Dunne was snubbed when she didn't receive the Best Actress Oscar for this her masterwork but the fact that the film has stood the test of nearly 70 years is a much greater award.

Mama's got her hands full-Three older sisters who are a definite handful, a controlling uncle who nips a bit, and four children of varying personalities who suffer from various growing pains, resentments to other siblings, as well as a serious illness which brings the family together. Mama's oldest sister is a bossy shrew whom mama's children can't stand; Another is a whiner and the youngest (and only likable one) is a painfully shy spinster who longs to marry a painfully shy bachelor. Uncle Kris intimidates the children until mama confronts him, and in a heartwarming scene, he reveals to his great nephew and nieces as to why he is the way he is, opening up his heart to them and to us. Mama realizes that her middle daughter is resentful of the oldest one, while the youngest daughter's sudden need for an operation threatens the family's finances.In almost 2 1/2 hours, this family saga encompasses desire, ambition, greed, desperation, fear, judgmental attitudes about moral issues, and a determination to survive against the odds. The older members of the family are Norwegian immigrants, and some of them are not adopting well to their new land, even after decades in the country. The story is told through the eyes (and pen) of the oldest daughter (Barbara Bel Geddes) who praises mama (Irene Dunne in her final Oscar Nominated performance) for looking out for everybody in the family while sometimes neglecting her own needs. Dunne's performance encompasses the actress's talent for comedy and drama topping a career that also included musicals, epics and fantasy. Lacking the "yumpin' yimminy!" of usual movie Scandanavian accents (see anything with El Brendel to confirm what I mean), Dunne's accent only briefly disappears yet never annoys. Oscar Homolka is excellent as the overly boisterous Uncle Kris, and the scene where he reveals his soul to the children was worthy of his Oscar Nomination. Ellen Corby (also nominated, along with Bel Geddes) is both funny and touching as the idealistic spinster Trina, while Philip Dorn is quietly wise as Papa, seemingly knowing that all he has to do is earn the family's bread and butter and mama will take care of the rest. Bel Geddes (later the matriarch of TV's "Dallas") shines as she ages from mid-teens to young adulthood. In her brief role as a famous author, Florence Bates is amusing, with her reaction to her picture in the newspaper a comic gem of self-deprivation. Some may complain about the film's length, but when you consider the number of movie versions of plays that have been ruined because of how the script was edited, that makes this OK.I could not complete this review without a mention of some of at least one of film's most touching moments, and that would have to be Dunne in the hospital ward with her youngest daughter, comforting the other children in the room as she sings a song to the ailing child, then comically trying to get out without being heard or seen by the nurses who had earlier prevented her from going in after visiting hours had ended.

Saw this years ago and had forgotten what a charming little film it was.Irene Dunn is wonderful as the rock holding together a struggling family, well worth viewing.While not an overtly political flick it obliquely reminds us that the melting pot concept is what made America what it is and is the greatest source of our nations strength.I think it also effectively challenges Tolstoys over quoted line that all happy families are alike.I wonder if a film such as this could even be made today as none of the characters had internal flaws and were able to triumph over life's random and inevitable adversity on their own inner strength and love for each other.I often find it interesting that art such as this was produced by the generation that had survived the deppression won world war two and quietly built what was perhaps the most successful society the world has ever known.

This is a great movie with fine acting and good life lessons. Irene Dunne ("Mama") makes the point several times that money isn't everything in life, that being a caring person and doing your best are what truly matter. The Oscar Homolka character (Uncle Chris) is the somewhat obnoxious but loving relative we all seem to have somewhere in our ancestry, as are the occasionally annoying aunts. This movie is sentimental without being corny, and very believable. I always feel better after watching I Remember Mama, and the movie helps to restore my sometimes cynical view of humanity. Life is not easy, and perhaps it's best to ignore a system that caters to the wealthy. Simply love your family and respect all people, and show interest and caring in the activity of others. Put your best foot forward and enjoy the marvelous results.