‘Four Mothers’ (2024)

Tracking the course of a misadventurous weekend, ‘Four Mothers’ follows struggling writer Edward (James McArdle) as he is saddled with caring duties, not only for his ailing mother, but also three other elderly women who have been left on his doorstep.

Inching towards literary success and recognition, Edward is shown to receive praise for a book he had written a few years prior. Taking notes from his publisher and dealing with anxiety as he prepares for radio interviews and podcasts, Edward tries to balance his work with caring duties towards his mother Alma (Fionnula Flanagan).

Having suffered a stroke and lost the ability to speak and live by herself, Alma is tended to by her son with the aid of Raf (Gaetan Garcia), a home care assistant and Edward’s ex-boyfriend. Consulting with his therapist Dermot (Rory O'Neill), Edward is encouraged to take care of himself and take on an American book tour to further his career as a writer.

Unable to confront Alma and tell her about the possible tour, Edward feels conflicted about leaving Alma behind. To add to his unsettled emotions, his close friends Billy (Gordon Hickey) and Colm (Gearoid Farrelly) decide to fly off to Spain for Pride holiday and leave their mothers with Edward. Catching wind of the Pride extravaganza, Dermot leaves his mother with Edward as well.

Put upon and suffering crippling anxiety James McArdle’s Edward struggles to make sense of his private and professional life. Dealing with the caring responsibilities and feeling isolated because of them, Edward feels pressure to do right by his mother and simultaneously lead a full life of his own.

‘Four Mothers’ journeys through the struggle with Edward as he tries to strike a balance between making sure his mother is taken care of and managing his career. Highlighting the strain Edward feels when even considering placing Alma in a home for the two week tour he’d be on, Edward has a panic attack. Unable to resign Alma to the fate of an old folks home, not even briefly, highlights the love and responsibility Edward feels for Alma.

Conversely, when Edward ultimately makes a decision and sticks with it, namely to stay in Ireland and care for Alma, it is her that persuades and convinces him to live his life. Fionnula Flanagan plays Alma not only as a helpless mute with a perfectly timed iPad for communicating comedically, but also as a cautious yet understanding mother. Flanagan’s initial resistance and fear towards Edward’s departure is understandable, yet her later acceptance of her son’s wishes lets her stand out as someone who is also willing to make sacrifices.

Making up the titular foursome in addition to Flanagan’s Alma are Stella McCusker as Maude, Dearbhla Molloy as Jean and Paddy Glynn as Rosie. Each uniquely individual with their singular quirks and personalities, the four women create an exciting and awkward space in which to conflict in. Initially resisting the idea of an overcrowded house, the four women come to realize that they enjoy each other’s company and ultimately grow to rely and confide in one another.

Underscoring the weight one feels towards their parents and the responsibilities that come with old age, ‘Four Mothers’ examines the topic without a melodramatic and overly sensationalized approach. Simultaneously tackling issues in and around anxiety, restraint and irresolution the story aids in visualizing the strain of balancing your life with that of another. Delivering a heartfelt, yet not overly saccharine examination of caring for oneself and others, ‘Four Mothers’ serves as a great coming-of-middle-age story and all the adventures that brings along with it.

Score: 3/4