‘My Mother’s Wedding’ Review – A Family Weekend That’s Anything but Calm
‘My Mother’s Wedding’ Review – Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, and Emily Beecham star in Kristin Scott Thomas’ warm but uneven family drama about love, loss, and sisterhood.
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You know how family events are. You show up thinking it’ll be all smiles, maybe a few happy tears, and before you know it… someone’s bringing up that thing that happened ten years ago and suddenly you’re in the middle of an emotional soap opera.
My Mother’s Wedding is exactly that kind of weekend, wrapped up in a charming English countryside setting. It’s the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas (yes, the actress from The English Patient), and she’s telling a story that’s clearly close to her heart — part sweet, part messy, and occasionally a little too much.
Exploring the Characters: My Mother’s Wedding’ Review of the Sisters and Their Stories
The movie kicks off with three grown sisters heading back to their childhood home. Catherine (Scarlett Johansson) is the no-nonsense Navy officer, Victoria (Sienna Miller) is the glamorous movie star, and Georgina (Emily Beecham) is the grounded nurse who’s been holding her own life together quietly.
They’re here because their mum, Diana (played by Scott Thomas herself), is getting married again — for the third time. The new man is Geoff Lavelove (James Fleet), who seems like a genuinely decent bloke. The idea is to have a lovely weekend celebrating… but of course, that’s not what happens.
By the end of the first evening, you can already feel old family tensions bubbling up, and the wedding turns into more of an emotional reunion-slash-therapy-session.
The Past Still Lives Here
This family has a history that’s heavy enough to sink a ship. Catherine and Victoria’s dad was a Navy man who died in service. Catherine followed in his footsteps, practically building her whole identity around honoring him. Victoria? She talks about him more casually — sometimes even in TV interviews — but you can tell it’s still in there somewhere.
Georgina’s father was the first dad’s best friend, also military, and he was gone almost as soon as he arrived. Basically, these women grew up with a lot of loss. It’s shaped how they love, how they fight, and even how they talk to each other. Catherine in particular has this wall around her that makes it hard to really connect.
Looks Gorgeous, Moves Slowly
One thing you can’t fault? The way this film looks. Yves Bélanger (who shot Big Little Lies) makes the English countryside glow — warm sunlight, soft shadows, cozy interiors… it’s the kind of place you’d want to spend a weekend in, minus all the emotional baggage.
But here’s the thing — the first half is slow. Really slow. We spend a lot of time in long conversations that explain family history instead of letting us just see it play out. And then there are random side plots — like a hidden camera and, yes, an actual helicopter — that kind of make you go, “Wait, what movie am I watching again?”
The Heart of It All – When the Sisters Are Just… Sisters
Whenever the film stops wandering and simply lets these three women be together, it comes alive. Johansson, Miller, and Beecham have that rare on-screen chemistry where you believe they’ve been teasing and annoying each other since childhood.
There’s a scene where they’re just hanging out, talking over each other, sharing knowing looks — it feels so natural you almost forget it’s a movie. Those moments are pure gold, and honestly, I wish the whole film was just that.
A Quick Run on the Characters
- Catherine (Johansson) – She’s the one who never takes her guard down. You can see her trying, but her military discipline keeps her emotions locked up tight. Johansson nails that quiet struggle.
- Victoria (Miller) – Witty, glamorous, and just a bit cynical. But Miller doesn’t let her be shallow — you catch flashes of vulnerability when she thinks no one’s looking.
- Georgina (Beecham) – The peacemaker, the sensible one. Beecham gives her this warm, calming energy that balances out her sisters’ drama.
- Diana (Scott Thomas) – The mum who’s been through love and loss twice but still believes in starting over. There’s a steadiness to her, even when she’s clearly nervous about her big day.
You Can Feel It’s Personal
This isn’t just a made-up story for Scott Thomas. The film is dedicated to her own two late fathers — both military men — and you can sense that in how it treats themes like grief and moving forward. She co-wrote the script with her husband, John Micklethwait, and it’s peppered with little moments that feel lived-in, like someone writing from memory rather than imagination.
The Big Themes That Sneak Up on You
Sure, on the surface it’s about a wedding, but there’s a lot more going on:
- Grief doesn’t vanish — even decades later, it shapes how you see the world.
- Sisterhood is messy — you can love someone fiercely and still want to throw a cushion at their head.
- It’s never too late — Diana’s third wedding isn’t a joke, it’s a statement that you can always start over.
- Everyone wears masks — whether it’s Catherine’s Navy uniform, Victoria’s red-carpet smile, or Georgina’s “everything’s fine” face.
What Works
- The acting. All four lead women bring so much depth you almost forgive the film’s stumbles.
- The look. If the English countryside were a person, this movie would be a love letter to them.
- The honesty. Families are complicated, and the movie doesn’t try to tie it all up neatly.
What Doesn’t
- The pacing in the first half is a bit of a patience test.
- Some subplots feel like they belong in another movie entirely.
- The ending comes too fast — just when it’s hitting its emotional stride, it’s over.
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So… Worth Watching?
Here’s the thing: My Mother’s Wedding isn’t perfect. It’s a little uneven, a little meandering, and a little too quick to wrap up when you want more. But it’s also heartfelt, well-acted, and has moments so genuine they’ll stick with you.
If you like slow-burn, character-driven stories that feel personal — the kind where you’re basically eavesdropping on a family weekend — give it a go. Just don’t expect fireworks. Think of it as spending a couple of days with people you care about: there will be laughs, maybe some tears, a few awkward silences… and you’ll be glad you went.
