The film follows Jane as she visits her mother on Mothering Sunday, 30th March 1924. Jane is orphaned as a young girl, and has no family home to visit. However, the kind Mr Niven allows Jane to have the day to herself, and she spends it visiting her mother.
Despite the fact that Jane is alone on this day, she is not at a disadvantage as Paul is with her. He has been by her side throughout the entire ordeal and has even provided emotional support. Despite this, Jane is still worried about what could happen if Paul were to find out about their relationship.
When Paul’s parents spend the day with Emma and the Nivens in Henley, he and Jane have free run of Sheringham household. They spend a lot of time in bed having hot, steamy sex, and when they’re not intertwined within one another’s bodies, they wander around the house without clothes on. It’s a good job the other servants aren’t around to witness their naked cavorting! ..
It would not be a surprise to suggest that things do not go well for Jane and Paul. There is the sense that they make the most of their time together in fear that it might be their last. And as the film passes the midway point, something does happen to bring about the end of their hidden relationship. You might already know the outcome of their love affair if you are familiar with Swift’s novel but if not, there will be no spoilers here. ..
While the film mostly takes place in a 1920s setting, it occasionally jumps forward in time to give us an insight into Jane’s future. Her life is very different in these scenes – she is no longer a housemaid – but it’s clear that happiness is still eluding her. The story of Jane Fairchild is a tragic one and as such, the film is quite heavy. It’s not particularly sentimental. Director Eva Husson favours repressed emotions over tearful melodramatics. But it’s quietly sad all the same so you might still need a handkerchief as you watch Jane’s story unfold.
The focus of the film is on the love between Jane and Paul, but it occasionally takes us to a lakeside picnic where the Nivens and the Sheringhams are patiently waiting for the arrival of Paul. Emma is there too, making sideways snipes about her fiancee and criticising the staff for daring to speak to her. As tragic as Jane’s life turns out to be, there is a deep sense of tragedy in these scenes too. Both sets of parents have lost children in the war and while Mr Niven and the Sheringhams distract themselves from the traumas they have experienced, Mrs Niven seems constantly on the verge of tears because of the terrible emotional pain she is experiencing.
The film is about two people who are struggling with the aftermath of a devastating event. The main character, Colin Firth, is a very good actor and he brings his A-game to the role of a grieving father. Olivia Colman is also excellent in her role as the mother, providing support for Firth while he deals with his own pain. However, despite their great acting, the film feels very one-dimensional. There are no real surprises or revelations that make it more interesting or engaging.
The credit for this film goes to both Young and O’Connor for their commitment to their characters and the quality of their acting. Without these two, the film would have been much less engaging. The scene when Paul says goodbye to Jane for the last time is quietly heartbreaking, as is the scene when Jane has to stifle her emotions when she receives a piece of news that upends her already difficult existence.
The acting is excellent, but the film can be confusing at times. The time jumps are disorienting and the scenes when the film transitions into events happening within the Niven household can be jarring. This gives the film an unstructured feel, which may not be a bad thing for some viewers, but it could be a problem for those looking for a straightforward telling of the narrative. ..
The ending of the film is unsatisfying because Glenda Jackson stars as the older Jane and while it’s good to see her back on screen, we don’t get to spend that much time with her. As such, we don’t get to see who Jane became, beyond a surface level mention of a writing career. Did she find happiness? It’s hard to say although the final flashback scene of a young Jane looking at horses seems to be a metaphor for freedom, so perhaps she managed to find fulfilment, despite the tragedies that scarred her life. ..
Mothering Sunday is a film that could have been better. It’s not as staid as some British period dramas, but it doesn’t pull on the heart as much as it should. Despite the wonderful performances, it’s still worth a watch though. If you’re thinking about buying your mother or grandmother this as a gift for Mother’s Day, you might want to warn them about the extended scenes of nudity first!
Mothering Sunday is the end of the week in which women celebrate their role as mothers. It is a time to reflect on what it means to be a mother, and to celebrate the accomplishments of those who have been so blessed.
