Barbara Del Geddes looks back on her life as one of the children in an immigrant Norwegian family, as she recalls several instances of good times and bad within her extended family, but with her beloved mother, played by Irene Dunne as the titular matriarch at the centre, holding everything together.
Whilst this may from time to time be a little sentimental for today's audiences, it never becomes so cloying that it spoils the story. The performances are universally good and indeed a scattering of them received Oscar nominations. Dunne is excellent in the lead and Del Geddes and Ellen Corby also shine. Practically stealing the whole film though is grumpy, drunken uncle Oscar Homolka who is at the centre of the film's humour. Very sweet and charming and liable to bring lumps to throats.
Whilst this may from time to time be a little sentimental for today's audiences, it never becomes so cloying that it spoils the story. The performances are universally good and indeed a scattering of them received Oscar nominations. Dunne is excellent in the lead and Del Geddes and Ellen Corby also shine. Practically stealing the whole film though is grumpy, drunken uncle Oscar Homolka who is at the centre of the film's humour. Very sweet and charming and liable to bring lumps to throats.