Moms’ Night Out

Creating an All New Kind of Family Comedy

It’s not everyday I receive an invitation to attend a movie set, watch a scene being filmed, view some completed scenes in early post-production, and meet and greet with some of the actors. Okay, so it’s the only time I’ve ever been invited to such an outing, but what an exciting outing it was. A few weeks ago, I cryptically shared a few photos from a whirlwind trip to Birmingham, Alabama. The media embargo on the movie is now lifted, and I can openly share more about the trip.

So what’s the movie?

It’s Moms’ Night Out, starring Sean Astin of “The Lord of the Rings” movies, Sarah Drew of “Grey’s Anatomy,” and Patricia Heaton of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” The Erwin brothers, Jon and Andrew, whose previous feature was the 2011 pro-life drama October Baby, co-directed. Jon also co-wrote the screenplay with Andrea Nasfell.

And the synopsis?

Due in theaters next year, Moms’ Night Out chronicles one night out gone awry, as three harried moms, their husbands, a sister-in-law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang, and one bewildered cabbie learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. On the surface, the plot may seem a bit contrived, however those of us in the midst of that beautiful mess can certainly relate. How many “you’re not going to believe what just happened — truth is stranger than fiction — someone should write a movie about this” moments have you experienced? I’ve a few, and I’ve just been at this beautiful mess for five years.

The story also loops in a little wholesome passion between a wife and her husband, played by Sarah Drew and Sean Astin. Sarah says,

“This is not only a family comedy, but it’s also a love story about two people who are already in the thick of what marriage is, in the chaos of what it is to have three little children — completely exhausted, at their wits’ end. 

 

I think there’s something wonderfully rare about this film, in that you’re telling stories about marriages that are healthy. You can still have drama in a movie without the husband and wife attacking each other at every turn.”

The Erwin brothers grew up watching great family comedies and felt it was time to bring the genre of clean family comedy back to the big screen. Sometimes the best way to diffuse a tense family situation is to make a joke or mock yourself. At some point, you just have to laugh. That’s what the Erwins hope will happen with their new film, Moms’ Night Out.

Indeed, love and laughter do often lift families over the everyday challenges of life, at least they do here at Das Schmidt Haus. From what I’ve seen of the film, it sure appears Moms’ Night Out will provide many opportunities for us movie-goers to laugh together. And I’m looking forward to a night out in 2014 to see this faith and family-friendly film.