Moms' Night Out is a 2014 American faith-based comedy film directed by the Erwin Brothers, and written by Jon Erwin and Andrea Gyertson Nasfell. The film stars Sarah Drew, Sean Astin, Patricia Heaton, and Trace Adkins. The film was released on May 9, 2014, in 1,044 theaters.[2] The movie centers on three moms attempting to get away and have a nice night out together and the pandemonium that ensues as everyone's plans go awry. The film was shot in Birmingham, Alabama, and, though it experienced an overall negative reception,[3] grossed $10.5 million.[1]

Moms' Night Out
Theatrical release poster
Directed byThe Erwin Brothers
Written byJon Erwin
Andrea Gyertson Nasfell
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyKristopher Kimlin
Edited byAndrew Erwin
Jonathan Olive
Music byMarc Fantini
Steffan Fantini
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • May 9, 2014 (2014-05-09)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million[1]
Box office$10.5 million[1]

Plot

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Allyson Field (Sarah Drew) writes an unhappy blog post about her constant stress and feelings of inadequacy. Though happily married with three children, Allyson is beset with anxiety and finds comfort in her best friend Izzy (Andrea Logan White) and mentor Sondra (Patricia Heaton).

Allyson's husband Sean (Sean Astin) recommends a night out for his overstressed wife, so she, Izzy, and Sondra plan an evening at a fancy Chinese restaurant. But Sean's half-sister Bridget (Abbie Cobb) wants Allyson to look after her baby, Phoenix, as she starts a new job the evening Allyson plans to go out with Izzy and Sondra. Sean backs up Allyson's reluctant refusal, and Bridget storms out, determined to prove she doesn't need their help. When Allyson and her friends arrive at the restaurant, they are told that their reservation has been lost. Allyson has a meltdown, stows away their cellphones in her van, and leads them across the street to go bowling, swapping their high heels for bowling shoes.

The evening degenerates with further misunderstandings and incidents. The "babysitters" - Sean, his video-gaming best friend Kevin (Kevin Downes), and Izzy's husband Marco (Robert Amaya) - take the kids to a video arcade, resulting in Sean and his son going to the emergency room. Kevin and Marco swap out a car for Allyson's van, not realizing that the women have no means of knowing about the switch. The ladies rush out of the bowling alley when Bridget, whose new job is at the bowling alley, realizes that Phoenix was not being watched by her ex like she had thought. They conclude the van was stolen and take a taxi on a wild goose chase looking for Phoenix, going to places like a tattoo parlor and a dank alley. On the way they meet a motorcyclist named 'Bones' (Trace Adkins) who goes with them and the good-humored taxi driver on their hunt. On the way they find Allyson's minivan and pursue it. Cops pull over the whole crew and all four ladies end up in a jail cell, Sondra recovering from being tasered by a cop. Allyson conveys her frustration with herself as a mom to Bones, who shares his simple philosophy with her. Everyone is reunited and absolved of charges. Allyson writes a blog post stating that her life may be stressful and crazy, but it is also beautiful.

Cast

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Music

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Production

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Filming started in June 2013 in Birmingham, Alabama, and wrapped by June 24, the Erwin brothers announced.[4] The entire film was shot in Birmingham, hometown to the Erwin brothers. Moms' Night Out is the Erwin brothers' third feature film together and first comedy movie. Their intent was to create a clean comedy for Christian audiences and to remind mothers that God loves them just as they are.[7] The film was produced by Kevin Downes, and husband-and-wife David Hunt and Patricia Heaton. All three of these producers also act in the movie.

Reception

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 20% approval rating based on 44 reviews with an average rating of 4.03/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Cheap-looking, unfunny, and kind of sexist to boot, Moms' Night Out is a disappointment from start to finish."[8] On Metacritic, the film has a rating of 25 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[3]

Moms' Night Out won an award for Best Film at the 46th GMA Dove Awards.

The film grossed $4.2 million in its opening weekend, finishing in seventh place. As of July 13, 2014, the film had grossed $10.5 million.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Moms' Night Out (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  2. ^ "Patricia Heaton stars in Moms' Night Out movie". Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  3. ^ a b "Moms' Night Out Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Erwin Brothers Wrap Filming On Family Comedy 'MOMS' NIGHT OUT'". prnewswire.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  5. ^ Sneider, Jeff (19 July 2013). "'Glee' Star Harry Shum Jr. Set for 'Moms' Night Out'". thewrap.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  6. ^ John W. Kennedy (29 July 2013). "Alex Kendrick talks about his acting role in the faith-based comedy "Moms' Night Out" and how a "Prayer Grid" helps him choose his projects - Faith, Media & Culture". Beliefnet.com. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  7. ^ Moms Night Out - Why Jon Erwin filmed in Birmingham Al., retrieved 2022-04-27
  8. ^ "Moms' Night Out (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
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