Mother! (2017) A Heart Wrenching Film Review

I am not one of those people that likes to go to see a film in the theaters more than once. I actually don’t think I’ve repeatedly seen a film on the big screen since Freddy vs. Jason. Even then I didn’t go because I thought it was an amazing film (because let’s face it…it’s not). I had told two different people that I would go see it with them, so I felt obligated. However, after seeing  Darren Aronofsky’s Mother! I was drawn to this film in ways I could not begin to describe and had to see it again. What is it about Mother! that made me pay twice to watch it and sit for over all 4 hours in an uncomfortable chair? Let’s break it down. 

Official synopsis of Mother!:

A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

What Works?

Mother! is the most earth shattering, heartbreaking film I have seen in a long time. When a film can make that big of an impact and have me convey the kind of emotions that I experienced while watching it, not just in some scenes but throughout the entire 2 hour run time, that’s a 10/10 for me. The film is breathtaking. Mother! is, by far, the most beautiful disaster I’ve ever watched.

The acting in Mother! is beyond superior to any other major blockbuster that has come out this year. Jennifer Lawrence… there are no words that I can even speak as to how incredible of an actress she truly is. Just thinking back on her performance keeps haunting me in my head. The only words I can think to sum up her role and how she portrayed it is nothing short of absolute perfection. If she gets an Oscar snub, there is something truly wrong with the Academy. Javier Bardem as Him… upon the first viewing, I was not a fan. Upon the second, I’m in love. No, I’m not talking about his good looks. I’m talking about the role he had to play and how devastatingly well he adapted to take on such a controversial part. Nothing but shear and utter brilliance. Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer add so much mystery to the film that you have yourself second guessing what is really happening. Marks of phenomenal acting abilities, which I would expect nothing less. Kristin Wiig… wow, did not see that coming from her at all!

The cinematography is captivating and, at the same time, astonishing.

The story of Mother! has so many layers. This film is one that I think will stand the test of time. You are going to want to watch this movie more then once to pick up on things that you may have not noticed before. I put this film up there with another one of my favorites, Donnie Darko. If you thought Get Out (read our review here) was relevant to current times, Mother! exceeds that by leaps and bounds and literally had me in tears.

What Doesn’t Work?

The only flaw that Mother! in my opinion was opening the week after the major horror blockbuster of the year IT (see our review here). I feel that had it opened at another time, some people that have given it terrible reviews may have had more appreciation for this film. I think people were still high on the nostalgia that IT made them feel. Others won’t like this because they won’t understand it. People don’t like what they can’t comprehend. To those people, I simply ask you to take a look around at what is going on in this world and give this movie another go. What Darren Aronofsky did with Mother! is relentless and will punch you in the gut. Like I said, there are many layers and one of these layers should not be ignored. 

Final Thoughts

In all honesty, this was probably the hardest review that I’ve had to write to date. I want to talk about everything that it stands for. I won’t. I feel that Mother! is one that you need to sit and watch the madness on screen unfold for yourself. This film gives you it’s total heart. Open your eyes and give it a gander because Mother! makes no apologies and that’s what makes this film so remarkable.