The Perfect Mother (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Above-average TV-movie

[Hermit C-2 · 8/10 · 14 August 1999]

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.'

A shocking true story

[DunnDeeDaGreat · 14 October 2001]

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.

Major Kudos to Tyne Daly

[jauntie2 · 19 July 2003]

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)!

Tyne Daly is chilling

[climbingivy · 10/10 · 14 March 2012]

I watched this movie again the other night and I forgot how excellent Tyne Daly played the part of the insane crazy mother in law from Hell.I was stunned again when in the end of the movie it says that the mother in law will get out of prison.I figured that she would get life without parole.I mean she had her daughter in law killed for no good reason except that her daughter in law was on to her dark schemes and the daughter in law did not want to be a part of the insane and violent family.Ione Skye was so sweet in the part of the daughter in law and I don't know the name of the actor who played her husband in the movie.I have seen him in other Canadian movies.Canadian movies are so good.I wish that American movies could be as good as Canadian productions.Check this movie out.For a made for TV production it is quite good.I Have This Movie.

It was a wonderful movie, but be aware that the mother-in-law is psycho and should have been put away for the remainder of her life.

[April7898 · 7 March 2002]

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.

Tyne Daly was brilliant!

[prolelol · 8/10 · 28 March 2023]

"The Perfect Mother" is a made-for-TV drama film about a mother who fully controls her fully grown son's life, thinking she's the perfect mother. However, her daughter-in-law tells her to stop, and she starts slowly ruining and threatening her. Her son isn't even aware that his mother is an extremely dangerous and evil person. The movie is based on true events.

The plot jumps around in time quite a bit, but it's still good and made me feel stressed, wondering what would happen until the end. The cast of unknown actors is fantastic, and the acting feels real. Tyne Daly, best known for her role in Dirty Harry's "The Enforcer," plays the mother-in-law extremely well. You can feel the full force of the evil in her character, and she was brilliant. The ending left me in tears; it was tragic and sad.

This movie is fantastic and deserves more viewings. It's available on HBO Max in my country.

What is this app all about

[sweetassunshine · 10/10 · 17 July 2021]

I thought this app is where you can watch movies you don't see no more on tv or I'm not doing something right can someone pls let me know if your able to watch movies on this app or not thank u because a lot of movies you don't see on tv anymore but they have them on here.

great movie! intense, tragic

[msvarniej · 10/10 · 18 April 2023]

All the acting is superb especially Tyne daly who totally controls the family much like a mafia boss. Kathryn has no idea what it will mean to marry into such a family. Her new family has bought her first home which is conveniently located less than a block from her new mom-in-law. New mom in law seldom leaves the newly weds alone and controls her sons by being their boss and all income controlled by her as well.

The girl has little chance of life of her own and when she suggests more independence, then trouble is started.

Kathryn does love her husband and vice versa, but altogether, she will never be free.

Truly quite a ride from start to finish.

great

[cindarella72 · 7/10 · 30 April 2006]

t u e s d a y k n i g h t

what was her parents thinking when they chose that name ? ? ?

movie was pretty good. . . bad acting but i still cried so, it wasn't that bad !

that mother in law is a B Y A T C H

hope i never have one like that

all in all the movie was really not that bad, i would give it a seven because the actors were kind of hot in a European way. .

and i really have nothing else to say , but this damn comment wont post if i don't make up ten lines of horse manure ! !

peace x x o

hoping its on DVD

[denisejones47 · 8/10 · 27 June 2007]

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.