Director
Adrian Noble

Starring
Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall

A slow burning character piece, Mrs. Lowry & Son is a snapshot into the life of esteemed English painter L. S. Lowry (Timothy Spall) and the relationship between he and his elderly mother (Vanessa Redgrave) in 1930’s Lancashire. Set almost entirely in a single bedroom, this is real examination of a man so desperate for his mother’s approval, and a woman so overbearing and resentful of how her life turned out that she takes it out on the only person she can.

Laurence Lowry was a timid, isolated man whose only significant relationship was with his mother. A gifted yet under appreciated artist in his early days, the only critics view that really mattered to him was his mothers. This was no better demonstrated than in his later life when he turned downed a multitude of honours (including a Knighthood) as his mother was no longer alive to see it.  Unfortunately for him, his mother was so resentful of Laurence, due mostly to the failings of his father, that the only time she had anything truly kind or encouraging to say to him was when others started to notice his talent. It would be easy to make out his mother to be the villain of the piece, but thanks to the beautifully nuanced performance of Redgrave, we are able to see that she was just as isolated and desperate as her son.

Mrs. Lowry & Son is the kind of film that takes its time and pays attention to the details. It’s an acting masterclass from Spall and Redgrave who are able to tap into the emotion of their characters with impeccable precision. If you’re looking for a detailed biopic of one of Britain’s most renowned artists of the 20^th century, this isn’t it.  What it is however is a beautiful vignette of an ordinary man with an extraordinary gift who just really loves his Mum, despite that love not always being returned.

3.5 Stars

Moviedoc thanks Rialto Distribution for the opportunity to review this film.

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