At first glance, Ewan McGregor‘s Mother, Couch seems like a typical family drama with a talented cast ranging from Ellen Burstyn to Taylor Russell. But a couple seconds into the official trailer and it becomes clear that the difference is that we’re getting a look at the moments before, during, and after the explosion of feelings from everyone within the struggling family with a twist of magical realism. And between the mom not wanting to get up from the couch McGregor’s infectiously joyful and creepy smile, and you’ve got a recipe for something that on the surface looks normal. But which is unhinged through and through.
For those not familiar with the film, Mother, Couch tells the story of a dysfunctional family who finds themselves mysteriously trapped in an antique furniture store. This comes after the matriarch of the family suddenly appears and refuses to get up from one of the display couches. This forces McGregor and two siblings to face life-altering truths about themselves, their lives, and their upbringing. And again, the synopsis itself is enough to seem like an indie film that we’ve watched over and over again. But there’s something the way about McGregor that is unhinged with his joy in comparison to the moments of pain and a frankly dour attitude about life and his mother in the beginning of said trailer.
There’s also the young woman (Russell) who feels like she’s in charge of the antique furniture store or has become a physical manifestation of whatever is keeping this family there until they figure out their problems. Whatever it’s going on, Mother, Couch isn’t simply about a piece of furniture and a cranky mum threatening to freak out if her kids try and move her. It’s about the people who carry their burden with them instead of talking about it and letting it go. Because it might be easier to keep it close, but the damage it does is irreparable. And you can carry that anywhere with you, including an old couch.
Watch the trailer below:
Mother, Couch opens in NY theaters on July 5th and Los Angeles theaters on July 12.
