Five flicks about mums at their funniest and fieriest

With Mother’s Day almost upon us, here are five streaming picks that embody motherhood at its strongest, funniest, fieriest and loving.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in Baby Mama.

With Mother’s Day almost upon us, here are five streaming picks that embody motherhood at its strongest, funniest, fieriest and loving.

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Lady Bird is a one of the most graceful, funny, alert and alive coming-of-age pictures you will ever see. Picture: AP

LADY BIRD (2017)

Foxtel Now

*****

At the heart of one of the most graceful, funny, alert and alive coming-of-age pictures you will ever see is a perfect depiction of a rebellious teen’s fractious relationship with her perpetually dissatisfied mother. Saoirse Ronan is the young title character at loggerheads with her wary, yet well-intentioned mum (Laurie Metcalf). The pair’s contentious in-car conversations are gold.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star as an all-female version of The Odd Couple in Baby Mama.

BABY MAMA (2008)

Google, iTunes

***

An infertile single businesswoman (Tina Fey) employs a shifty, not-so-shrewd slob (Amy Poehler) to bear a surrogate child. What follows is a mildly engaging, all-female version of The Odd Couple. Or an older-skewing version of Juno, but with safer jokes. The best work in this slight comedy can be found in the supporting ranks, courtesy of Sigourney Weaver and Steve Martin.

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore in The Kids Are All Right, a modern comedy about acceptance.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (2010)

SBS On Demand

****

Once upon a time, same-sex partners Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) took turns to conceive a child from the same anonymous sperm sample. Now, quite rightly, their teenage offspring would like to know who their father is. A shrewd, well-observed modern comedy about achieving acceptance with no exceptions. Co-stars Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson.

Panic Room is a creatively creepy home-invasion thriller.

PANIC ROOM (2002)

Amazon

****

Creatively creepy home-invasion thriller, in which a protective single mother (Jodie Foster) and her teenage daughter (Kristen Stewart) try to make it through the first night in a new house that has been overrun by three vicious burglars. Top-shelf terror from director David Fincher, the man behind such popular pulse-pounders as Seven, Fight Club and Zodiac.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri will have you leaning forward intently to catch what’s coming next.

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI (2017)

Foxtel Now

****1/2

An Oscar-winning Frances McDormand plays Mildred Hayes, an angry woman frustrated by local police’s handling of the investigation of her daughter’s recent death. If there is to be closure, it will be Mildred slamming the door shut on her terms alone. The mercurial, unpredictable nature of the film is actually its secret weapon. You will be leaning forward intently to catch what’s coming next.