In the movies, few bonds are stronger — or more likely to be frayed — than the one between a mother and a teen daughter.
The scenario sets up opportunities for emotional arguments, biting comedy and soulful drama, and a chance for women actors to really show their stuff.
With a wonderful mother-daughter story, writer-director Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” opening in Salt Lake City theaters this Friday, it offers a chance to consider these other stories of moms and the young women who pray they won’t grow up to be just like them.
1. Hairspray (1988)
In John Waters’ only PG-rated movie, perky ’60s teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) is determined to get on Baltimore’s hottest teen-dance show — even if her hausfrau mom, Edna (played by Divine), doesn’t think she’s good enough. Tracy’s exuberance wins over her mom as they join forces against snooty Amber van Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick) and her mom, Velma (Deborah Harry). Sure, the 2007 musical tells the same story, but not with the same offbeat charm Waters brings.
2. Little Women (1994)
There have been many movie adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel of a Civil War-era New England family enduring hardships and small joys together. The 1933 version (with Katharine Hepburn as Jo) and the 1949 version (with June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor) are sturdy, but the gold standard is director Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 adaptation, with Susan Sarandon as the loving Marmee, Winona Ryder as Jo, Trini Alvarado as Meg, Claire Danes as Beth, and Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis sharing duties as Amy.
3. Tumbleweeds (1999)
Janet McTeer got a surprise Oscar nomination for her work in this drama as Mary Jo, a mom who regularly uproots herself and her daughter, Ava (Kimberly J. Brown), to bail out on failed relationships — a situation Ava tires of, as she seeks to put down roots in a new school. This one’s a forgotten gem worth seeking out.
4. Real Women Have Curves (2002)
Before “Superstore” and “Ugly Betty,” America Ferrera made her movie debut here as Ana, a first-generation Mexican-American in East L.A. Ana works with her mother (Lupe Ontiveros) in her sister’s downtown sewing factory but is determined to strike out on her own — armed with a scholarship to Columbia University. The tug between youthful freedom and family tradition has seldom been depicted so energetically.
5. Freaky Friday (2003)
When working mom Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and exasperated teen Anna (Lindsay Lohan) each wish the other knew what her life was like, a magical switcheroo makes it happen — putting Anna in Tess’ body and vice versa. Curtis and Lohan shine here, mining the situation for perfect physical comedy. (The 1976 version, with Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster, is pretty fun, too.)
6. Thirteen (2003)
Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) and her mom, Melanie (Holly Hunter), have a good relationship — until Tracy’s new friend Evie (Nikki Reed, who co-wrote the screenplay) introduces her to drugs, sex and small-time crime. Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”) made her directing debut with this harrowing drama of adolescence.
7. Brave (2012)
In Pixar’s charming Scottish tale, Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) doesn’t want to be the proper princess that her mother, Queen Elinor (voiced by Emma Thompson), wants her to be. Their relationship is put to the test when a magic spell turns Elinor into a bear, and it’s up to Merida to reverse the spell before it’s too late.