Smothered by Mothers

This movie was surprising on several levels. Until recently, I wasn't familiar with Shannon Brown's work. I happened to see him in a touching and intense drama, Every 21 Seconds, when it was in theaters. I actually went to watch Black Panther but showed up late and figured I was there and pretty much decided to watch the next film starting which happened to be 21 seconds, it has a cool poster and I was in the mood to catch a movie, so why not. Brown was the lead, I was floored by his portrayal of a TBI survivor and became a fan instantly. After looking him up, I stumbled across this film and was a little surprised it was a comedy. I recognized the director, Brian Herzlinger and some of the cast, Heather Matarazzo and Burt Young of course. So, it was worth checking out and I'm really glad I did.

This movie is hilarious and Brown was shockingly good. The only reason I say shockingly is because I just didn't expect the same actor that I saw play a very intense and dramatic character so well to be equally as good as the lead character in a comedy. The dude definitely has range. The film overall just has great timing all the beats are sharp, Brian Herzlinger (My Date with Drew) does a great job of telling this story.

The story centers around a wealthy, hedonistic soon to be retired football player "Bigtime Bobby Davis". This guy has it all- looks, charm, cars, mansions, women, fame. Pretty much every guy's fantasy, then through a series of bad luck and bad choices he loses it all and then some. You literally began watching being jealous and envious of him then in a matter of moments you feel sorry for the guy and thank your lucky stars that you are not in his situation. The major transition is executed flawlessly by Shannon Brown. His reactions and facial expressions are perfectly timed, he forces you to be engaged with his character.

The supporting cast is excellent as well. A wild group of characters that I'm sure Herzlinger enjoyed directing because he did a fantastic job. It couldn't have been easy with so many off the wall characters. Heather Matarazzo shines as the relentless and oft times menacing sister of the main character. The sibling dynamic between Brown and Matarazzo is so good that you'd think they were brother and sister in real life if you didn't know any better. Any guy like me that grew up with a little sister will really appreciate how well these two pull off these characters. Another standout performance was Jamie Bernadette, she plays Brown's smoking hot assistant. The chemistry between Brown and Bernadette is electric, very steamy. You just desperately want them to end up together by the end of the movie. I don't know if this was intentional by Herzlinger or not and I'm not gonna give away any spoilers. I will say that if these two ever co star in a movie together as love interests, I will be first in line to see it.

This comedy is definitely worth checking out, really tough to find many flaws with it. The ending seemed maybe a little unsettled, incomplete. Maybe they plan to do a sequel or somehow continue the story, if so, that would be great! I'd definitely like to see what happens with "Bigtime" and the rest of the crazy characters.

This film should be voted zero start. If you want a preview just go to youtube and look at the trailer there, which is so bad it was yanked here.

I am getting sick of shilled upvoting by farmed accounts that rate everything 10 or whose only activity is a single review or vote.

This is an excruciatingly bad film

Great ensemble cast delivering a great story-line. Not short on laughs. As the trouble keeps escalating poor Bobby keeps trying to find ways to run downhill. I would love to see a sequel or a spin-off series because it's too soon to say goodbye to these characters.

Do you like sports, women, mobsters, and comedy? Well then you are going to want to watch this movie.

This is the story of Bobby "Big Time" Davis. A professional football kicker that seems to have the life we all want. Fame, fortune, and of course women. The problem is "Big Time" has had a few too many women.

Bobby, played brilliantly by Shannon Brown, decided to settle financially with two women who claim to be carrying his babies. He also tries to keep the settlement quiet from his new fiancé Cassandra, played by Juliette Bennett.

Brown's portrayal of "Big Time" is well played on all levels. What especially sticks out is Brown's comedic prowess. His timing is impeccable. His facial expressions are priceless. Just try not to take a sip of a drink while watching him. You will end up spitting out your drink. You have been warned.

Bobby's life gets even more complicated when his sister Annie, played by Heather Matarazzo, shows up with some harebrained idea on how to make money off of her famous brother. So being the loving brother he is, Big Time gives his sister the seed money she needs.

Just when Big Time thinks he has his life back in order all hell breaks lose. It turns out his long time friend, and agent, played by Ken Weichert, has been running a ponzee scheme that would make Bernie Madoff proud.

Bobby think's his life can't get any worse until his sister moves in with him because she lost her house when Bobby's check bounces.

Now he has his sister, two baby mammas, and his pregnant fiancé' living under one roof.

This movie is a fun comedy that will keep you laughing. It's a must for any sports fan, or player. LOL.

Director Brian Herzlinger brings us the zany comedy, "Smothered by Mother's". Bobby Davis (Shannon Brown) a fun loving wealthy, very wealthy football star has it all. A great career and a hot Sports reporter girlfriend (Juliette Bennett). He lives in a mansion, has nice cars a beautiful assistant (Jaime Bernadette) and everything a person could want. A big wedding is being planned and everything seems fairy tale perfect! Than what seems like over night he gets accused of doing steroids injected by team doctor(Michael Buscemi), 2 ladies (Marylin Bass and Whitney Kimball Long)are carrying his babies and he loses all his money in a Ponzi scheme, conducted by his best friend and business manager (Ken Weichert). Now the ladies are suing, his business manager has taken off and is supposedly killing him self on the Gulf of Mexico off his yacht. The FBI are at his door threatening to arrest him for the involvement of the scheme. A crazy sister (Heather Matarazoo)who asked for money for a endorsement scheme also is there after the check bounces. As a matter of fact everyone is at his door when the checks bounce. Including the 2 pregnant girls whose lawyer came up with a settlement and now he can't pay. His lawyer (William Haze) convinced him in order to satisfy everyone because of his misfortune, another plan has the 2 pregnant girls, his soon to be wife and crazy sister all moving in. One crazy mad so scenario after another pile up. He slowly is going nuts with his once magical life has turned to hell. With the help of his beautiful assistant who he fantasizes about all the time but remains civilized knowing she is the only solid rock in his life. She agrees to stay and help him recover even though he can't pay her. She means so much to him, he would further go down a path of destruction without her. When all seems lost his business Manager re-appears alive and with a plan to make things rite. So his best friend and team mate Charlie (Chuck Ardezzone) who has stood by his side the whole time, set out to make things rite. They team up for the ultimate touchdown and go head to head against mobsters to get his fortune back and everything back to normal. Head mobster Ivan played by legend Burt Young is absolutely fabulous to watch. Burt is hilarious and steels all the scenes he is in and proves he is a Hollywood icon. Things go from comedic mishaps to Murder and a whole different ball game. Gameplay has changed and a lot more Is involved with this Ponzi scheme that will teach our hero about life, loyalty and love.

Brian Herzlinger really went above and beyond in what could of been a run of the mil silly comedy. Along with great actors and a real solid story by John Fahy and Kurt Weichert it's pulled off. Shannon Brown gives a great performance and earns lead status. His reactions sometimes by just facial expressions are so on mark he is a delight in every scene. Also a stand out is the poor over worked Jaime Bernadette who takes her stride with the part and really presents a heart warming performance and you really feel her faithfulness and dedication. But my award for the favorite and has me laughing and crying from his zany performance was the lovable best friend Chalri played with over the top sincerity by actor Chuck Ardezzone. This is a must see feel good movie. When I read the synopsis I did not think I would like to much. But it turned out I didn't like, I loved it and will be watching again with wife. Fun movie. Solid story,actors, direction and totally unpredictable.



Director: Brian Herzlinger Writer: John Fahy, Kurt Weichert Starring: Shannon Brown ,Heather Matarazzo, Jim O'Heir, Burt Young, Alice Amter, Juliette Bennett, Chuck Ardezzone, Jamie Bernadette, Michael Buscemi, Robert Craighead, Marilyn Bass, Whitney Kimball Long, Will Haze, Johnathan Yaskoff and Ken Weichert.