Ewan McGregor is making a comeback on the cinema scene in the forthcoming film Mother, Couch, the inaugural full-length film directed by Niclas Larsson. The star-studded cast includes Academy Award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn and rising star Taylor Russell, who recently received considerable acclaim for her performances in Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All and Trey Edward Shults’ Waves from 2019. This new venture is a rendition of the Swedish novel Mamma I Soffa penned by Jerker Virdborg, which AB publishers have described as a hilarious yet deeply introspective narrative.
In the film, three distant siblings, David (McGregor), Gruffud (Rhys Ifans), and Linda (Lara Flynn Boyle) reunite in an attempt to persuade their mother (Burstyn), who is stubbornly remaining on a green couch in a furniture store. A fresh image of the trio has been unveiled by Variety, where they seem to be devising a strategy to deal with their unyielding mother. Alongside Russell, F. Murray Abraham stars as the store’s managers, Bella and Marco & Marcus, who support David and his siblings on a bizarre family revelation journey. Lake Bell, known for voicing Poison Ivy in Harley Quinn, also features in the film.
The film showcases an impressive lineup, with McGregor renowned for his roles in the Star Wars saga as Obi-Wan Kenobi, his eponymous Disney+ show last year, and notable performances in Trainspotting (1996) and Moulin Rouge (2001). Burstyn, a respected industry stalwart, is best recognized for her roles in Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream and the horror classic The Exorcist as Chris MacNeil. She will be reprising her role after nearly half a century in the upcoming sequel, The Exorcist: Believer, releasing this October.
So, who’s the driving force behind Mother, Couch?
Image via MGM
Although this is Larsson’s first venture into feature films, he has made a name for himself through his commercial work for esteemed brands such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, earning him a Directors Guild of America Award nomination in 2021. His past work also encompasses Vogue’s short film The Magic Diner from 2015, featuring Alicia Vikander and Anna Wintour. Mother, Couch is brought to life by producers including Alex Black from Lyrical Media, Fat City co-founder Sara Murphy, Ella Bishop, and Pau Suris. McGregor shares the executive producer credits with Jon Rosenberg, Ryan Zacarias, Natalie Sellers, and David Harari.
Mother, Couch is set to have its global premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, followed by its European debut at the San Sebastian New Directors competition. Other films being showcased at TIFF include Taika Waititi’s sports drama Next Goal Wins, featuring Michael Fassbender and Elisabeth Moss, Anna Kendrick’s maiden directorial venture Woman of the Hour, and Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman. The festival will also introduce the documentary Hate to Love, focusing on the band Nickelback.
No wide release date has been set for Mother, Couch. You can get a sneak peek from the film’s first-look image below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about sibling dynamics
What is the movie “Mother, Couch” about?
“Mother, Couch” is a film that follows three estranged siblings, played by Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, and Lara Flynn Boyle, who come together to convince their mother, portrayed by Ellen Burstyn, to leave a green couch in a furniture store. The movie is described as “comical and existentially challenging” as the siblings embark on a surreal journey through family revelations.
Who are the main actors in “Mother, Couch”?
The main actors in “Mother, Couch” include Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Lara Flynn Boyle, Ellen Burstyn, and Taylor Russell. F. Murray Abraham and Lake Bell also have prominent roles in the film.
Is “Mother, Couch” based on a book?
Yes, “Mother, Couch” is based on the Swedish novel “Mamma I Soffa” written by Jerker Virdborg.
Who directed “Mother, Couch”?
The film “Mother, Couch” is directed by Niclas Larsson, making it his feature-length directorial debut.
When will “Mother, Couch” premiere?
“Mother, Couch” is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and later at the San Sebastian New Directors competition.
What other notable films are premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival?
Apart from “Mother, Couch,” other notable films premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival include “Next Goal Wins” featuring Michael Fassbender and Elisabeth Moss, “Woman of the Hour” – Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, and “Poolman” – Chris Pine’s debut directorial effort. The festival will also showcase the documentary “Hate to Love” centered on the band Nickelback.
Who else is involved in the production of “Mother, Couch”?
The film is produced by Alex Black, Sara Murphy, Ella Bishop, and Pau Suris. Ewan McGregor is credited as an executive producer alongside Jon Rosenberg, Ryan Zacarias, Natalie Sellers, and David Harari.
Does “Mother, Couch” have a wide release date set?
As of now, “Mother, Couch” does not have a wide release date announced. Further information may be available after its festival premieres.
More about sibling dynamics
- “Mother, Couch” Variety Article: Link
- Toronto International Film Festival Website: Link
- San Sebastian New Directors Competition Website: Link
- Niclas Larsson’s Commercial Work: Link
