“Mom’s Guest” is a heartwarming Iranian family comedy film directed by the esteemed filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui. Released in 2003, this film is based on the book “Mom’s Guest” written by Houshang Moradi Kermani and produced by Sima Film. It garnered critical acclaim and recognition, even winning the Crystal Simorgh for the Best Film at the 22nd Fajr Film Festival. “Mom’s Guest” is the eighteenth feature film directed by Dariush Mehrjui, further establishing his reputation as a prominent filmmaker in Iranian cinema.

The film’s story revolves around a mother named Golab Adineh who receives news that her nephew (Amir Hosseini) and his new bride (Roya Aalami) plan to visit her. In an effort to maintain her family’s honor, Golab becomes frantic and makes significant efforts to prepare her home for the guests. She is constantly on edge as she anticipates the arrival of the guests, but there is a sense of urgency as her husband, Yadalal (Hassan Pourshirazi), has not yet returned home, and the guests could arrive at any moment.

Upon Yadalal’s return, bearing a watermelon, the guests make their entrance. Yadalal, an affable and nostalgic individual who has a love for storytelling and cinema, begins to recount his life experiences to the guests without consideration for the formalities or appropriateness of the situation. To make matters worse, he indulges in prolonged introductions until Golab’s niece decides to host the evening’s dinner. However, their house is ill-equipped for such a gathering, and Golab frantically reaches out to neighbors and acquaintances for assistance.

Golab’s anxiety continues to mount as she struggles to prepare the dinner. The significance of serving chicken at the dinner is of utmost importance to her. Maryam (Farideh Sepah Mansour), one of their neighbors, has a few chickens and a rooster but is unwilling to part with any of them for the meal. Amir (Alireza Jafari), Golab’s young son, and his friend secretly try to steal a chicken and a fish from Amir’s father’s store, but they are caught and reprimanded. Meanwhile, Yusef (Parsa Pirouzfar), a man from a wealthy family, finds himself in a dilemma after his pregnant wife (Nasrin Moghanlou) accuses him of drug addiction. In his attempt to gain her favor, he joins Amir and visits his father’s house. The visit is fraught with persistent questioning from Amir’s father (Mehdi Taqinian) and endless curses from Golab, who believes Yusef’s wife is responsible for her son’s addiction. Amidst the chaos, the necessary food items are collected, and the guests assemble.

As the guests and residents gather around the dinner table, Golab, exhausted and emotionally drained, falls unconscious. The urgency of the situation becomes clear as everyone rushes to get her to the hospital. The doctor diagnoses Golab with extreme anxiety and advises her to rest after the guests return, ultimately preparing a separate room for the bride and groom.

The film is a charming portrayal of the challenges and comic situations that arise when families prepare for and host guests. It explores the nuances of Iranian social etiquette and hospitality, capturing the essence of a close-knit family’s dynamics.

“Moms Guest” follows the tradition of Iranian cinema in its exploration of everyday life, family values, and the complexity of human relationships. It presents a slice of Iranian society and its customs, with each character representing different segments of the population.

In conclusion, “Mom’s Guest” is a delightful Iranian family comedy that offers a warm and amusing look at the traditions, expectations, and sometimes chaotic nature of hosting guests in a family home. The film’s success is a testament to Dariush Mehrjui’s storytelling prowess and his ability to create endearing characters and relatable situations that resonate with audiences.