The Perfect Mother

It seems like "above average" is about the highest praise most of us will ladle out to a TV-movie, doesn't it? 'The Perfect Mother' can be described that way, though. It's sufficiently entertaining but not profoundly moving, about what one would expect from a good TV-movie.

Tyne Daly is the title character here, and that's a good start, as she's well-known as a fine actress. When Ione Skye finds a guy she falls in love with and marries, of course she gets his family in the bargain, but she never counted on anything like mom-in-law. It appears that she is the ultimate control freak when it comes to her son, and this causes friction between her and the daughter-in-law. This war between the two escalates until the couple must break up, but by now the couple has had a child and grandma is not going to give up "her" family's grandchild so easily.

The film, which has a startling conclusion, is based on a real-life case, showing us once again that fiction sometimes can't compete with reality. Justin Louis stars as Daly's son and Skye's husband, who is torn between his two families; and Tuesday Knight (yes, that's what it says) plays Skye's sister-in-law who's gotten the same treatment from 'The Perfect Mother.'

I thought that "The Perfect Mother" was an incredible movie with a wonderful cast portaying the real life people. The mother-in-law was psycho and she should have been put away for the remainder of her life. I felt sorry for John and for Katherine. For John, because he was naive and ignorant when it came to the topic of his mother until it was too late. For Katherine, because she knew how Elainie Podaras was, but there was nothing she could do about the situation because noone believed her and because she loved her husband so much. The ending of the movie was such a travesty for Katherine, Katherine's mother, John, and Matthew. It is hard to believe that someone could be as awful and conniving person as Elainie Podaras was. If you enjoyed this movie, you should watch "Hush" or "Psycho" because the mothers in both of these movies, along with this particular one , have some mental and security issues.

If there was ever any question in your mind about what a terrific actor Tyne Daly is, you MUST see this movie. The themes of "every mother wants what's best for her family" and "only a mother knows what's best for her son" are taken to (sometimes unexpected) extremes.

The movie had the potential to be predictable, but Daly's performance blew that possibility right out of the water. She scared the "heck" out of me (and I've always LOVED her)!

does anyone out there know if tyne Daley's film the perfect mother is out on DVD because i am having a hard time finding out if it is on DVD. they say its a good film and to watch it again, but u can't if its not on DVD . very slow of them if they haven't i certainly would buy one straight away. i cant wait to see it again i thought it was an excellent film but it should not be kept just as a TV film because that is just pants. i think it would do very well in the DVD shops please please someone tell whoever it concerns to put it on DVD its driving me mad as i want my family to see it as they cant understand why i'm making such a fuss about it, but tyne Daley is first class in this i don't think anyone else could have put the same mark on the film like she did. first class.

Every time I see this film, I find it hard to belive that it's a true story. The plot about a mother who will do anything to protect her family is very deep. Tyne Daly gives a chilling performance. Ione Skye who's always good plays her role as the terried daughter in-law is top notch. Check it out.