Synopsis

After her husband dies during a family visit to London, May finds herself adrift among children who seem too busy to notice her. Determined not to become invisible, she begins exploring her long-suppressed independence and sexuality. Her attraction to Darren, a much younger builder who is involved with her daughter, ignites a dangerous affair that exposes the fractures within the family.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was shot on location in London during June and July 2002.

• It reunited writer Hanif Kureishi and producer Kevin Loader, who had previously worked together on the BBC television serial The Buddha of Suburbia.

• BBC Films fully financed the production, which was made by Free Range Films in association with Renaissance Films.

• The world premiere took place in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, where the film received the Europa Cinema Award.

• Anne Reid won Best British Actress at the 2004 London Film Critics' Circle Awards and was nominated for a BAFTA for her performance.

• Reid later recalled feeling so nervous about filming the intimate scenes with Daniel Craig that she became emotional the night before shooting began.

• Filmmaker John Waters included The Mother among his ten best films of 2004.