In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m adding Dark Water and Flightplan to my list of favorite films featuring mothers as one of the main characters. In last year’s ReelTalk feature article, “Moms on Film,” I picked Lorenzo's Oil, Moonlight Mile, Chocolat, Carolina and Raising Helen as my five favorites -- and now there are seven. 

In the atmospheric thriller Dark Water, Jennifer Connolly shows what lengths a mother will go to in order to save her child. This Oscar-winning actress (for A Beautiful Mind) gives one of her best performances here as a woman trying to protect her daughter from the mysterious things happening in their creepy new apartment. Likewise, Jodie Foster, a two-time Oscar-winner (for Silence of the Lambs and The Accused), excels in Flightplan as a mother frantically searching for her daughter when the little girl disappears during a flight from Berlin to the U.S.    

Not surprisingly, two of my favorite films of this type star Susan Sarandon, who began playing movie moms at an age when most actresses would never consider this type of role. Sarandon was only in  her thirties when she took on the part of Brooke Shields' mom in Pretty Baby, and since then she's been a "reel" mom in many other movies, including Little Women, Stepmom, The Banger Sisters, Anywhere But Here and Igby Goes Down. However, I believe Sarandon gave her best "mom" performances in Lorenzo's Oil and Moonlight Mile.

As Michaela Odone in Lorenzo's Oil, Sarandon becomes a "tiger mother" trying to protect and save her son, a youngster suffering from a disease doctors claimed was incurable. In Moonlight Mile, Sarandon's "Jo-Jo" grieves in her own sarcastic way for a daughter killed in a random act of violence. Both of these roles showcase Sarandon's skill at portraying strong yet vulnerable women who must deal with tragic situations. On the other hand, Sarandon can play outrageous moms almost as well as she nails these serious ones. If you don't believe me, check out Anywhere But Here.

And speaking of outrageous movie moms, another favorite of mine is Juliette Binoche's character in Chocolat. The luminescent Binoche projects a wonderful playfulness as the mother of a preteen daughter in this unusual fantasy. Maybe these two don't always get along, but how could anyone stay angry at a mother who makes such yummy chocolate confections?

Shirley MacLaine's memorable Carolina turn as a grandmother who raises her son's daughters is also something special to me, probably because I spent so much time with my own grandmothers as a child. Playing Grandma Mirabeau, the incomparable MacLaine exudes raw energy, bold determination and an unwavering love for her character's dysfunctional family. It's a flamboyant and poignant performance worth treasuring.

Finally, a “mom in training” played delightfully by Kate Hudson in Raising Helen, rounds out my fave list. Hudson is immensely watchable as an ambitious career woman who’s been appointed guardian of three children after her sister’s fatal car accident. Struggling with the added responsibilities of caring for her nieces and nephew, Hudson’s character tries to keep a lucrative position in the glamorous world of fashion -- but comes to realize that while it’s difficult to be a “Mom Club” member in good standing, it’s worth the sacrifices that have to be made.

Happy Mother's Day!

(For Kelly and Sue, with love, from Mom.)