• Comedy
• Drama

My Mother's Wedding (North Star) 2023

My Mother’s Wedding (North Star) is a 2023 comedy-drama directed and co-written by Kristin Scott Thomas (her directorial debut), who also stars as Diana Frost. The screenplay was co-written with her husband, John Micklethwait. Premiere & Release: The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (under the title North Star) on September 7, 2023, and has a limited U.S. theatrical release starting August 8, 2025. Plot: Set in the English countryside, it follows three adult sisters—Katherine (Scarlett Johansson), a Royal Navy captain; Victoria (Sienna Miller), a Hollywood actress; and Georgina (Emily Beecham), a palliative care nurse—who reunite for their mother’s third wedding. Over the weekend, they grapple with unresolved grief, personal growth, and family dynamics. Casting Highlights: Scott Thomas drew from her own childhood—she lost both her father and stepfather, who were Royal Navy pilots—which informs the emotional fabric of the story . Notably, this marks her third time playing mother to Johansson, following The Horse Whisperer and The Other Boleyn Girl.🌍 Filming Locations Hampshire, England served as the main location: Meadow House: A country home with gardens, meadows, and even a gypsy caravan—used extensively for both indoor and outdoor scenes. St. Mary’s Church, Ashley: A 13th-century stone church where the wedding scenes were filmed. The Grange estate near Alresford: Used for sweeping exterior scenes, its Greek-style mansion and sprawling grounds added visual richness. HMS Prince of Wales in Portsmouth: Used for scenes featuring Johansson’s naval character, adding authenticity to her role.🗣️ Critics & Reviews Positive Highlights: A review in the San Francisco Chronicle praised the emotional performances, particularly from Miller and Beecham, and highlighted a powerful monologue delivered by Thomas at a gravesite as a standout moment. Mixed or Critical Reactions: The Guardian called it a “ho-hum directorial debut,” citing inconsistent tone, underdeveloped characters, and awkward stylistic choices such as animated sequences. Associated Press echoed the sentiment, pointing out uneven emotional depth and pacing issues, though acknowledging charming touches like the animated flashbacks and musical elements. RogerEbert.com emphasized that the wedding is more of a narrative device—the film’s heart lies in the family confrontations and emotional reckonings that follow. Some tonal missteps and subplot silliness were noted, yet the performances remain grounded. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 28% Tomatometer, based on 18 critic reviews. On Metacritic, the score is 49/100, indicating mixed or average reviews.📌 Conclusion My Mother’s Wedding is a heartfelt and intimate family drama that explores themes of grief, reconciliation, and personal growth. Directed by and starring Kristin Scott Thomas, the film draws deeply from her own experiences, lending authenticity and emotional depth. While the movie has received mixed reviews, its strong performances and beautiful setting offer a poignant look at the complexities of family relationships during a significant life event. It’s a thoughtful, if imperfect, portrayal of how past losses shape the present and the bonds that hold families together. Read More

• 2025
• 1 h : 35 min
• 303 views
• 5.457
• R