Trading Mom (1994)

Three children have had it with their mother, and magically make her disappear. The kids then head out to the "Mommy Market" for a replacement mom.

Director:

Tia Brelis

Writers:

Nancy Brelis (novel), Tia Brelis (screenplay)

Stars:

Sissy Spacek, Anna Chlumsky, Aaron Michael Metchik

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sissy Spacek	...	Mommy / Mama / Mom / Natasha
Anna Chlumsky	...	Elizabeth
Aaron Michael Metchik	...	Jeremy
Asher Metchik	...	Harry
Maureen Stapleton	...	Mrs. Cavour
Merritt Yohnka	...	Mr. Leeby
André the Giant	...	Giant
Sean MacLaughlin	...	Edward
Jemar Jefferson	...	Security
Nancy L. Chlumsky	...	Dr. Richardson
Eleni Schirmer	...	Karate Girl
Fran Joseph	...	Ninja Mom
Catherine Paolone	...	Cookie Mom
Maria Fagan	...	Creative Mom
Jane Beard	...	Cleaning Mom

Storyline

Elizabeth, Jeremy, and Harry Martin have had it with their workaholic, nagging mother and they get in trouble at school with bullies and almost smoking cigarettes. They go to this mysterious gardener named Mrs. Cavour and she tells the siblings about an ancient spell to make their mother disappear. That night they say the incantation and the next morning, they wake up and they find their mother is gone and they can't remember anything about her. Mrs. Cavour tells the children about the Mommy Market, a place in town where they had about every mother you could think of. When they go there, the Mommy Market had a policy where you could have 3 tokens to take a mother home. If they could not find a suitable mother by their third token, they could never go back. The mothers they pick are not what they hoped for and they feel lost without someone to look after them. They wanted their very own mother to love and they must think of a memory of their own to remember her and break the spell.

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Plot Keywords:

young girl | f rated | brother sister relationship | child's point of view | single mother | 

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Taglines:

No more vegetables...No more homework...No more cleaning your room...e

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some barnyard humor

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mommy Market

Filming Locations:

Richmond, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$68,570, 15 May 1994, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$319,123

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International,Mommy Market Productions,Overseas FilmGroup

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last movie with André the Giant, who died a year before this movie's US release.

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Quotes

Mrs. Mommy Martin: Who do you think you are? You can't just go around doing what ever you want! And Elizabeth, cigarette, really. Well, that's it! You're all grounded! Period! Understand? There's no camp, no allowance, no TV, no nothing. Now up to your room, right now this instant! I am furious!
Harry Martin: But mom...
Mrs. Mommy Martin: Don't "But mom" me! Things are going to change around here permanently. Now, march!

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits end with the repeated dialogue of Mr. Leeby the school principal shouting while being caught in the trap made for the raccoon.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Worst Films of 1994 (1995)

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Soundtracks

Rockin Roly Poly
Written and Performed by Mary Bomar

User Reviews

An Instant Classic

This movie was one of my favorites when I was a Kid. It is a very unique and thoughtful movie for the whole family to see. It really puts into perspective that it doesn't matter if someone can give you everything you could ever want, take you where you want to go all the time, or is so much more fun, no one in this world can replace your Mom. I love how this movie brings in morals to the kids who watch this movie. A lot will realise that your Mother is one of the dearest and irreplaceable people in your life. The only problem I had with the move was the ending. I did not like Harry's choice at all. I believe they should of had the last Mother choice to be more interesting and a longer outcome then Natasha. All in all I believe your whole family will enjoy this and will be a movie you will remember for years to come.