mare winningham be really one of the great unsung american actress of our generation . she be exceptionally talented whether she be play the daughter of a deaf couple who must sign language to communicate with her parent . she be the their ear to the world and often must translate between her parent and the hearing world . one memorable scene be her at the funeral home translating for her parent and the undertaker a a child for her brother unfortunate death . winningham performance be award win a be the mother play by deaf actress and phyllis frelich . her character seek to be independent and hop that her parent can adjust to the hearing world .