A ‘beautifully acted’ period drama with a ‘heartbreaking’ storyline is now available to stream for film fans.

Mothering Sunday, released in 2021, is a sweeping romance film set in the 1920s and has won over film fans since its release four years ago. The film stars Odessa Young and Josh O’Connor alongside a star studded cast with Colin Firth, Olivia Colman, and Glenda Jackson.

The film marked the return of Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson to theatrical releases after a 30-year hiatus. It was one of her final film roles before her death in 2023.

Adapted from Graham Swift’s 2016 novel, Mothering Sunday, the film explores themes of grief, class, memory, and resilience in the aftermath of World War I with film fans giving it five stars.

The film follows house maid and foundling Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young), who finds herself alone on Mother’s Day.

Mothering Sunday

View 3 Images

Mothering Sunday is a sweeping period romance released in 2021

Her employers, Mr. and Mrs. Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman), are out and she has the rare chance to spend quality time with her secret lover Paul Sheringham (Josh O’Connor).

Paul is the boy from the manor house nearby and is Jane’s long-term love despite the fact that he’s engaged to be married to another woman, a childhood friend and daughter of his parents’ friends. But events that neither can foresee will change the course of Jane’s life forever.

On Rotten Tomatoes the film commands an impressive score of 63 percent on the website’s Tomatometer, with fans raving about it in the reviews. One person posted, “This film is beautifully directed and acted, superb performances from all the cast, young and older, a paean to the English countryside and its ghosts. A mood piece, and a heartrending essay on the terrible legacy of war.”

Another shared, “I absolutely loved the understated excellence of this film. Quiet, slow-paced but engrossing. Beautifully acted, written and shot.”

“I absolutely LOVED this movie. Especially the cinematography…..how it was so beautifully captured and each shot was carefully constructed as if it were a piece of art,” said a third. “I read the book on Kindle the morning before I saw the film which really helped pull the story along nicely. Recommend reading the book first and then going to see the film. Kudos to the filmmakers. A nice way to spend a Saturday evening for sure!”

Mothering Sunday

View 3 Images

The cast includes Olivia Colman and Colin Firth

Another posted, “Incredibly moving film. Amazing characters with interesting relationships between social class divisions.”

“Wonderful film, great characters, musical score was luscious, and great story! Loved it,” said another.

Another review likened it to period dramas like Downton Abbey, as one said, “I liked it. I love those lyrical English countryside films set in days gone by. Sort of the same style as Maurice, Downton Abbey and Room with a View. I am NOT comparing this film to those, but just the style and period. it is a slow film, but kept my attention throughout.”

Mothering Sunday is available to stream now.