This sequel to "Four Wives" (which itself was a sequel to "Four Daughters") came out a year and 10 days later. In many ways, this third film in the series seemed unnecessary, as things seemed quite resolved and fine as they were left off at the end of "Four Wives". But, the films were successful, so Warner Brothers brought back the entire cast for yet another installment--necessary or not! While at the end of the second film it seemed like all was perfect for the family, "Four Mothers" manages to do something that I am sure few in the audience liked--stripped away the family's successes and bring them low. Who thought this was a good idea considering how beloved the characters had become in the two previous films?! One plot line has a marriage to a researcher on the rocks because of his devotion to his job. Another features the rich sister and her husband losing everything--including the good will of the community. Another has two and of the sisters and a husband caught up in the beginning of a love triangle! And, finally, the father's house is about to be taken from him!!! What in the world were they thinking?!? Why not just give them all the plague or have them killed by a serial killer?! While this was all pretty awful, the way all these dreadful plots magically worked themselves out perfectly (too perfectly) was also bad--very bad...and unnecessary. In TV language, it's obvious the film series had jumped the shark! Despite good acting, the script simply isn't up to snuff and it makes you scratch your head and wonder who and why did anyone approve this daffy script! A poor way to end the series. Oh, well...at least all the babies in the film were awfully cute.
Review of Four Mothers
