Mother, Couch Explained

Director:Niclas Larsson
Music:Christopher Bear
Cinematography:Chayse Irvin
Editing:Carla Luffe
Runtime:96 minutes[1]
Language:English
Gross:$30,602[2]

Mother, Couch is a 2023 comedy-drama film written and directed by Niclas Larsson. It is based on the 2020 Swedish novel Mamma i soffa by Jerker Virdborg. It stars Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Taylor Russell, Lara Flynn Boyle, Lake Bell, F. Murray Abraham, and Ellen Burstyn.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023. It was released in the United States by Film Movement and Memory on July 5, 2024.

Premise

While attempting to leave a furniture store, an elderly matriarch suddenly decides to sit on one of the couches and stay there. Her three children come together, as well as the store owners, who all go through a mind-bending journey of self-discovery.

Cast

Production

In July 2022, it was reported that Ellen Burstyn, Ewan McGregor, Taylor Russell, Rhys Ifans, Lara Flynn Boyle, Lake Bell, and F. Murray Abraham had signed on to star in Mother, Couch. Written and directed by Niclas Larsson in his feature film debut, it is an adaptation of the 2020 Swedish novel Mamma i soffa by Jerker Virdborg.[4] Larsson said in an interview: "The book is very different from the film. In fact, the first thing I asked Jerker was how free I could be with the adaptation, and he said, 'Look, steal whatever you want to steal, and go with it.' So that's what I did. I added the locations and set it in America, but I feel it's also very Swedish."[4]

The film was produced by the American-based companies Lyrical Media, Fat City, and Suris/Bishop Films and co-produced by Sweden's Film i Väst and Denmark's Snowglobe.[5] Principal photography began in late October 2022 and took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, over 27 days, primarily on a stage.[6] [4] The production was granted a tax rebate of up to $1.75 million by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.[6]

Release

Mother, Couch, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2023.[7] [1] It later screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 26.[8] [9] In February 2024, Film Movement and Memory acquired US distribution rights to the film.[10] It was released in the United States on July 5, 2024.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mother, Couch. Toronto International Film Festival. August 18, 2023.
  2. Web site: Mother, Couch. Box Office Mojo. July 26, 2024. June 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240602024224/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1635155969/weekend/ . live.
  3. Web site: Mother, Couch. Charades. December 31, 2023.
  4. Web site: Ntim . Zac . 2023-09-08 . Mother, Couch: Sara Murphy & Niclas Larsson Discuss Their Secretive TIFF Competition Title Starring Ewan McGregor And Taylor Russell . 2023-12-31 . Deadline . en-US.
  5. Web site: Charades, UTA Board 'Mother, Couch' With Taylor Russell, Ewan McGregor (Exclusive). Variety. John. Hopewell. July 31, 2022. August 6, 2023.
  6. Web site: Shiff. Blair. 2022-10-25 . This indie film is going to shoot in Charlotte this week . 2023-12-31 . WCNC-TV.
  7. Web site: TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders Dumb Money, The Holdovers, Rustin; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. July 24, 2023. August 6, 2023.
  8. Web site: Mother, Couch! Starring Taylor Russell & Ewan McGregor Among Titles Set For San Sebastian's New Directors Competition. Deadline Hollywood. Zac. Ntim. July 27, 2023. August 6, 2023.
  9. Web site: Mother, Couch!. 2023-12-31 . San Sebastián International Film Festival.
  10. Web site: Ewan McGregor-Starring Mother, Couch! Lands U.S. Distribution (Exclusive). Variety. Alex. Ritman. February 14, 2024. February 14, 2024.
  11. Web site: Mother Couch. Film Movement. April 3, 2024.
  12. Web site: Ewan McGregor and Ellen Burstyn's Mother, Couch Trailer Teases a Wild Family Feud (Exclusive). People. Tommy. McArdle. May 10, 2024. May 10, 2024.