'Night, Mother

Overwrought adaptation by Marsha Norman of her own Pulitzer Prize-winning play which fails to make the most of its leading ladies. Bancroft in her familiar role as the long-suffering mother is dignified, severe and utterly humourless, and her character sets the movie's tone. Spacek likewise seems a little self-important as her suicidal middle-aged daughter. Director Moore presumably thought his main task was simply to provide a platform for his bravura stars. Unfortunately, by plumping for an inert shooting style, he leaves the actresses looking smug and stolid.