I was so pleasantly/painfully entertained by this movie! Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) plays Maggie, and entirely over the top and completely real "Helicopter Mom". A term I had never heard of before this movie but have seen so many times first hand. She is always smothering her terribly patient teenage son, Lloyd, played by Jason Dolly (Good Luck Charlie) who is so incredibly believable as a confused and lonely teenager cut off from the world from his over protective mom.
Be ready to feel SO uncomfortable nearly every moment while Maggie tortures her son with no boundaries or privacy and WAY too much information. Nia Vardalos brings so much love and hilarity to such an easily hated character.
The only balm to her character's nonstop "bee stings" of obsessive nit-picking is Mark Boone Junior (Batman Begins) as Max, Lloyd's father. The chemistry between Boone and Nia is so charming it is only topped by the loving father son relationship with Jason. These scenes are such a necessary, heartwarming break from the constant edge-of-your-seat embarrassment that is Lloyd's mom.
All in all this is a beautifully written, well directed and perfectly cast movie. I can't say I "enjoyed" all the ridiculously awkward moments since I covered my eyes and plugged my ears more often than watching a horror movie- but this is truly a story from the heart that I'm glad I experienced.
Be ready to feel SO uncomfortable nearly every moment while Maggie tortures her son with no boundaries or privacy and WAY too much information. Nia Vardalos brings so much love and hilarity to such an easily hated character.
The only balm to her character's nonstop "bee stings" of obsessive nit-picking is Mark Boone Junior (Batman Begins) as Max, Lloyd's father. The chemistry between Boone and Nia is so charming it is only topped by the loving father son relationship with Jason. These scenes are such a necessary, heartwarming break from the constant edge-of-your-seat embarrassment that is Lloyd's mom.
All in all this is a beautifully written, well directed and perfectly cast movie. I can't say I "enjoyed" all the ridiculously awkward moments since I covered my eyes and plugged my ears more often than watching a horror movie- but this is truly a story from the heart that I'm glad I experienced.