Watch Helicopter Mom

Helicopter Mom is a quirky and heartwarming comedy-drama film from 2014 that explores a parent's unconditional love for their child. Directed and co-written by Salome Breziner, the movie stars Nia Vardalos, Jason Dolley, and Mark Boone Junior in the lead roles. The film centers around Lloyd, a high school senior who is struggling to come to terms with his identity and sexuality. Despite his confusion and insecurities, he is passionate about his drama club and hopes to pursue a career in show business. However, his single mother, Maggie, is overprotective and overbearing when it comes to her son's life. She is convinced that Lloyd is gay and decides to come out for him, without his consent. This sets off a chain of events that puts Lloyd's dreams and Maggie's relationship with her son on the line.

Nia Vardalos, best known for her role in the hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, shines in the role of Maggie. She portrays the character's quirky and overbearing nature with humor and empathy. Maggie is a loving mother who genuinely wants what's best for her son, but her lack of boundaries and helicopter parenting tendencies create more problems than they solve. Throughout the movie, she struggles to balance her desire to be involved in Lloyd's life and his need for independence and privacy.

Jason Dolley gives a heartfelt and nuanced performance as Lloyd. He convincingly portrays the character's vulnerabilities and insecurities as he grapples with his sexuality and identity. Lloyd's journey is both relatable and emotional, and Dolley does an excellent job of bringing the character to life. Mark Boone Junior also delivers a strong performance as Carl, a gruff and unconventional acting coach who becomes Lloyd's mentor and ally.

The movie's themes of acceptance, identity, and parent-child relationships are explored with humor and sensitivity. The script by Duke Tran and Salome Breziner is layered and nuanced, and the film's direction and editing keep the story moving at a brisk pace. The cinematography by Matthias Schubert adds a touch of whimsy to the film's visuals, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that complements the story's themes.

One of the strengths of Helicopter Mom is its ability to balance the humor and drama of the story, making for a compelling and entertaining film. The movie has several laugh-out-loud moments, as well as poignant and emotional scenes that will tug at the heartstrings of viewers. The film's message about the importance of acceptance and unconditional love is universal and poignant.

In conclusion, Helicopter Mom is a fantastic indie gem that explores the complexities of parent-child relationships with humor, heart, and sensitivity. Its excellent performances, sharp script, and charming direction make it a must-watch for fans of comedy-drama films. It's a movie that will appeal to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and its themes of acceptance and unconditional love are more relevant than ever.

Helicopter Mom is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.