So I’m on a bit of a rant today. If you’re a mom, you might feel the same. On Saturday May 8th, I had a nice face-time call with my son and his girlfriend. Of course, we got onto the subject of mother’s day and what my plans were. Then I remembered last year’s mother’s day, and I told them about how I turned on the television in the evening, to see what wonderful shows/movies might be on.
Lo and behold, I came across (on Super Channel) “We Need to Talk About Kevin”, starring the fabulous Tilda Swinton.
I had seen this movie before and was aware of a) how great it is and b) how disturbing the subject matter is. I couldn’t help myself and continued to watch it. It’s like driving by a car accident and you can’t look away. Same thing here. I couldn’t look away from this movie. It also wasn’t lost on me the irony of this movie being aired on mother’s day! The story is the absolute pinnacle of a mother’s nightmare.
Of course, people may say “It’s about mental health. These topics shouldn’t be ignored or swept under the carpet.” I couldn’t agree more but on mother’s day? Do these—beyond disturbing, actually horrific—themes need to be highlighted on the one day of the year that mothers are supposed to be honoured and celebrated?
Anyways, I said as much to my son and his girlfriend to which they laughed but also agreed with me. They are familiar with the story and thought it was a strange choice.
Have you seen the movie?
So, here’s the thing. On mother’s day this year we got home from visiting with our family. I had a wonderful afternoon!
Later that evening I was scrolling through the television channels. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw “We Need to Talk About Kevin” was on again on Super Channel! OMG. I continued scrolling, didn’t take the bait.
Last year I wondered if the movie channel programmer had a dark sense of humour. Airing a movie that could be triggering on mother’s day. Especially for those moms who have been through similar experiences.
Besides, how could people be so insensitive to the general effect this film has on mothers? Then they air it again for the second year in a row and I realize it’s deliberate. To pick this one twice in a row is making a statement: New moms, you may be Eve one day so watch out. Thinking about becoming a mom? Think twice.
So I took to Twitter, because why not?
Wow. #HappyMothersDay from @SuperChannel as they air “We Need to Talk About Kevin” for the 2nd year in a row – on Mother’s Day! Who is the sadist that chooses this film for programming on a day that is supposed to honour mothers NOT torture them?
— Lisa Thomson (@lisalisathom) May 10, 2021
They replied with this tweet:
Sorry you didn’t enjoy our Mother’s Day picks, it is definitely a story that isn’t easy to watch. We mean no dishonor to Mom’s, but to represent many facets of motherhood, even in difficult times.
— Super Channel (@SuperChannel) May 10, 2021
Then I replied to their reply:
Thank you for your response. I’ve seen the movie twice. It is an exceptional film, but not good choice for Mother’s day. Choose something lighter next year, okay? 🙂 @SuperChannel
— Lisa Thomson (@lisalisathom) May 10, 2021
Super Channel didn’t reply to me on that last tweet.
They could honour moms with so many different types of movies that would better serve as entertainment.
Mother’s Day
Georgia Rule
Step Mom
Spanglish
One Fine Day
Little Man Tate
Mamma Mia
The Guilt Trip
Steel Magnolias
All I can think is that the programmer hates their mom as much as Kevin hated his. I could keep bitching about this or I could simply unsubscribe to Super Channel.
UPDATE June 20, 2021-Superchannel played this movie for father’s day as well! Nice to know my feedback was heard. NOT.
Do you think mother’s day should be light and joyful or is it a time to explore the dark side of motherhood?
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Mabel Kwong
June 1, 2021 at 5:45 amI have heard of the movie and agree while it has important messages, it is not the most feel-good movie. Agree with what Shootingstarsmags said. There are different sides to motherhood but on a day like Mother’s Day, I think we all want to feel happy in connection to our mothers and/or being a mother. There’s nothing like feeling together, happy and comfort together with each other on a day like this. It was courteous of Super Channel to reply to you on Twitter but you really have a point there on a lighter movie we can all feel good together watching.
lisa
June 2, 2021 at 8:10 amHi Mabel, exactly! I agree, and yet Super Channel didn’t engage further. Hey, if this was a one off, I wouldn’t have bothered tweeting. But because it was two years in a row, I had to say something! What are they going to air for father’s day, The Joker?
Marcia @ Menopausal Mother
May 21, 2021 at 7:39 pmOhhhhh I loved Steel Magnolias! The BEST!!
lisa
May 21, 2021 at 10:01 pmMe too. Definitely a good mother’s day choice. 🙂
DGKaye
May 19, 2021 at 7:41 pmI couldn’t agree more. Not the right day to play that movie. I like your picks much better <3
lisa
May 20, 2021 at 9:24 amRight? 2 years in a row! No excuse. 😛 <3 Nice to see you, Debby!
LA CONTESSA
May 17, 2021 at 10:52 amI AM WITH YOU!
I HAVENOT SEEN NOR WILL WATCH NOW!
LETS GO BACK TO FAMILY MOVIES AND LASSIE……………..ALL THE SHOOT THEM UP AND KILLING GOING ON IS UNBEARABLE TO ME!NO WONDER OUR SOCIETY IS SCREWED UP!
I BLAME THE MOVIE INDUSTRY!HAVE FOR 30 years……….STOP showing and giving ideas to the CROWDS!MORE SENSITIVE MORE HAPPY MOVIES or COMEDY!GOOD WILL MOVIES………..its GOT TO CHANGE!
XXX
lisa
May 17, 2021 at 4:35 pmYeah, I don’t think you would enjoy it at all. I agree! There seems to be an overload of crime and psycho shows. If the stories are true, I do take an interest to learn something from them. But as in “We Need to Talk About Kevin”–it’s all fictional, made up stories. Fine. But realize these are outlandish.
YES. I’m right there with you, LA CONTESSA. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. xx
Tamara
May 17, 2021 at 9:46 amOh my goodness – this has been up on my screen for a day as I went down the rabbit hole or reading about that movie, and then spoiling it for myself because I don’t have what it takes to watch it. And I have a legit Tilda Swinton fear.. not sure why.
Happy Belated Mother’s Day, Lisa!
lisa
May 17, 2021 at 1:13 pmTamara, you had me chuckling. LOL’ing at this: “And I have a legit Tilda Swinton fear…” 😀
She is unusual looking and has played some challenging even evil roles. I just really respect her. It isn’t a movie for young moms, IMHO. Too fear/horror inducing. So, yeah, no need to even go there.
Thank you, Tamara! xo
ShootingStarsMag
May 17, 2021 at 6:17 amWow…yeah, no, this is not a movie for actual Mother’s Day. Yes, it’s a great film, and yes, it’s good to showcase various sides of motherhood and mental health and all of that. But the actual day of Mother’s Day can be hard enough for some…they don’t need this movie playing year after year.
-Lauren
lisa
May 17, 2021 at 4:49 pmRight? OMG. Exactly true. And yet when I tweeted them my thoughts, they simply made an excuse for why they aired it and essentially dismissed my opinion. As if they had a good reason to do it, 2 years in a row. I may not be subscribed for next mother’s day! 🙂
Marie Kléber
May 17, 2021 at 3:12 amI heard about the movie but never watched it Lisa.
I completely agree with you about Mother’s Day being joyful and a way to cheer up!
I mean motherhood is not always a sinecure, so we’d rather watch something that brings smiles and make us feel good. Even more in the situation we’re in for the past year or 2.
Take care Lisa
.
lisa
May 17, 2021 at 5:04 pmYou’re not missing anything, Marie. So true. Joyful. that’s a good word for mother’s day. Exactly. It’s not an easy journey but we’re supposed to be celebrating. Thanks, Marie. And thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Jeff
May 16, 2021 at 6:24 pmI haven’t seen this movie and don’t watch that much TV either, but now I’m curious about what is going to be online for Father’s Day (but whatever it is, I doubt I’ll watch it unless the Pirates are playing)
lisa
May 16, 2021 at 7:46 pmWell, you’re not missing much by not watching tv 😛 I was thinking the same thing, Jeff. What will they air for father’s day? I can think of a bunch of fun movies to honour dads! 🙂 Yes, enjoy that.
Balroop Singh
May 16, 2021 at 8:28 amI haven’t seen this movie but I agree with you Lisa, there should be something lighter that adds some fun to Mother’s Day, especially those who are empty nesters.
Thank you for raising your voice and letting the Super Channel know.
lisa
May 16, 2021 at 9:29 amThank you, Balroop. Yes, it isn’t easy these last two years for empty nesters like us. This kind of movie although well done, is tragic and not a way to celebrate motherhood. Hope yours was good, Balroop and that you got to see your kids and grandkids!