Memorable mom roles are back in full force this season, for better or worse

Mothers have, of course, been a mainstay among movie characters forever, with many of Hollywood’s best known actresses earning Oscar gold for their work playing a memorable mom: Joan Crawford in “Mildred Pierce” (1945), Sophia Loren for “Two Women” (1961), Meryl Streep in “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) and Shirley MacLaine in “Terms of Endearment” (1983), to name but a few.

Mothers on film, as in real life, have certainly grown over time, from the early days of the mostly stay-at-home moms through to the rise of working women and business owners. From idyllic to flawed, married to single, self-sacrificing to self-possessed, objectified to objectionable, movie moms have rolled with society’s changes; some have been ahead of the curve, others Janey-come-latelys.

And for 2016, it’s possible that a majority of the female acting nominees could be honored for their portrayals of mothers — that is, for roles that revolve largely around being a mother as opposed to, say, Natalie Portman in “Jackie,” who as Jackie Kennedy has two kids but that is not what her role is about.

Here’s our take on some of the standouts in the two actress categories:

LEAD ACTRESS

Annette Bening – “20th Century Women”

Bening has received glowing reviews for her role in Mike Mills’ Christmas release as the divorced, free-spirited mother of a teenage boy in 1979 Santa Barbara. If nominated, this would be the actress’ fifth shot at the gold and her first since 2010’s “The Kids Are Alright,” in which, coincidentally, she also played a mom.

Ellen Page – “Tallulah”

As a homeless drifter who snatches a stranger’s baby, then poses as the infant’s mother, Page deftly elevates the “crafty waif” role with quicksilver charm, humor and empathy in this summer release. Writer-director Sian Heder’s creation affords Page enough daylight from the last “accidental mom” she played, in 2007’s “Juno” (her first Oscar nod), to make this part feel fresh.

Susan Sarandon – “The Meddler”

As Marnie Minervini, a nosy, needy widow who moves to L.A. to be near her screenwriter daughter, the five-time Oscar nominee (she won for 1995’s “Dead Man Walking”) earned high marks for the warmth, comic verve and deep range of emotion she brought to a part in this limited spring release that could have easily become annoying and clichéd. That writer-director Lorene Scafaria based Marnie on her own mother adds a fun and poignant layer to this wry valentine.

Alicia Vikander – “The Light Between Oceans”

Last year’s supporting actress winner for “The Danish Girl” turns in another superb performance as a young wife who, unable to conceive with her lighthouse-keeper husband, decides to keep and raise an anonymous baby that washes ashore. But will the box-office failure of the late-summer release (less than $16 million worldwide) of this period drama, adapted by director Derek Cianfrance from M.L. Stedman’s popular novel, squelch Vikander’s chance at real award consideration?

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Viola Davis – “Fences”

Denzel Washington’s adaptation of the powerful August Wilson play is certain to garner its share of Oscar attention after its Christmas release, not the least of which could be for Davis’ portrayal of Rose, a long-suffering Pittsburgh wife and mother who agrees to raise her husband’s illegitimate baby as her own. It shouldn’t hurt that the two-time nominee (she won for 2008’s “Doubt”) is extra-popular these days as the star of TV’s “How to Get Away With Murder.”

Kathryn Hahn – “Bad Moms”

She’s a long shot to be sure, but the talented Hahn has amassed such goodwill from a variety of film and TV roles (most recently: the conflicted rabbi on “Transparent”) that she could nab awards love for her foul-mouthed, scene-stealing Carla in Jon Lucas and Scott Moore’s sleeper hit comedy from the summer. Think: the Melissa McCarthy vote for “Bridesmaids.”

Naomie Harris – “Moonlight”

In Barry Jenkins’ recent acclaimed character study of racial and sexual identity, Harris plays Paula, the crack-addicted, single mother to a son who’s on a difficult journey of self-discovery. Paula’s arc, from beleaguered nurse to strung-out combatant to sober apologist, shows remarkable range while straddling a fine line between repellent and sympathetic.

Allison Janney – “Tallulah”

Reuniting with “Juno” costar Ellen Page, Janney fills her role as the lonely, estranged mother of Page’s character’s boyfriend — and an impromptu grandma to Page’s alleged baby — with such brittle intensity and complex depth she once again shows why she’s one of the best and hardest-working actresses on the big and small screen today. Not for nothing, Janney can also currently be seen in the title role on TV’s “Mom.”

Nicole Kidman – “Lion”

A three-time Oscar nominee, including a win for 2002’s “The Hours,” Kidman has garnered unanimous praise for her tender turn as the adoptive Aussie mother of an East Indian boy in this well-received epic drama coming next week from director Garth Davis from an adapted script by Luke Davies. A classy showing in a classy film could prove a one-two punch for the esteemed Kidman come awards time.

Margo Martindale – “The Hollars”

In one of two terrific turns in the “ailing parent” category, Martindale plays the good-natured mom with a brain tumor in writer-director-star John Krasinski’s family dramedy from August. It’s a hearty, touching performance from one of film and TV’s most reliable supporting players. But did the movie — strong as it was — get lost in the indie shuffle?

Lupita Nyong’o – “Queen of Katwe”

In her first live-action role since winning the supporting actress Oscar for 2013’s “12 Years a Slave,” Nyong’o again impressed critics playing the struggling, widowed mother of famed Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. Although this late summer Disney production saw only modest box-office success, the story’s underdog appeal and uplifting message could help Nyongo’s award chances.

Molly Shannon – “Other People”

Oscar enjoys feting comic actors who go serious and there may be no better example this year than “Saturday Night Live” alum Shannon, who left viewers in tears in September as the dying mother in Chris Kelly’s real-life-inspired “Other People.” This isn’t Shannon’s first feature role to stretch her acting chops, though. That was Mike White’s 2007 dramedy “Year of the Dog,” which also earned the actress kudos.

See the most read stories this hour »

calendar@latimes.com