Writer & Director / Darren Aronofsky (NOAH, BLACK SWAN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM)
Stars/ Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris

Right now, mother! is the mother of decidedly mixed reactions. A movie that is at first completely unfathomable before it can ultimately be considered a work of pure genius. It’s an incredibly mysterious drama masquerading as psychological horror that was the recipient of booing and standing ovations at the Venice Film Festival. And it is one of the rare films to be handed an “F” cinemascore from moviegoers in the U.S, which is the worst possible score a film can receive. Some critics have even labelled mother! the worst film of the century! Though it is kind of awful to watch, there is no need to get carried away!

All you need to know regarding the synopsis is the following (just in case you’re one of many who must give in to your curiosity): in a very large home, a couple peacefully reside (played by Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem). One day, totally out of the blue, their tranquil existence is quickly shattered upon the unexpected arrival of two uninvited guests (played by Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer). 

Once all is said and done, there remains two key reasons as to how mother! has missed its opportunity to be a masterpiece. This enigmatic film, which at first rarely allows your gaze to move far from the screen until it becomes borderline unwatchable, is so much challenge for so little reward. Also, for a film that is ultimately not open to interpretation, it studiously leaves itself exposed to an excess of just that.

Now, don’t be conned into believing that you’ll be leaving the cinema with any real answers. The final few scenes of mother! may provide some closure to you for one of several understandings to be gleaned, at best. It isn’t until any post-viewing research is conducted (if you care enough by then) that you’ll need to wait to uncover this movie’s cunningly crafted secret. Even still, several of its ambiguities have been purposely left unanswered and up to your imagination to decipher.

Where the creator of mother! deserves recognition is in his highly original and innovative thinking. Although not a lot makes a great deal of sense at the time it occurs, mother! successfully summons immediate intrigue that takes a considerable amount of time to burn off. There is no doubt in my mind that a courageous performance in a mightily challenging role for Jennifer Lawrence keeps viewers deeply invested much longer than the film deserves. The poor darling is put through hell and deserves a sympathy card from each of you who risk seeing this!

On a final note, it is well within the intellectual capacity of writer/director Darren Aronofsky to creatively incorporate its truth in a less arrogant manner than is opted for in mother! Though a feeling of appreciation for his idea later arrives, that appreciation remains heavily burdened and restricted. 

2 stars

Hint – If you have seen mother! and remain completely puzzled, go onto the IMDB website and take note of the original title of this film. Still unsure? Let me know!

Viewer Discretion/ MA15+ (Strong themes, violence and coarse language)

Trailer / mother!

Moviedoc thanks Paramount Pictures for the pass to watch and review this film.

Review by Moviedoc / “LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc

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