Review of Mother (2016) by Craig M — 30 Sep 2017
While it spirals out of control after the first hour, the literal idea is good. Had Aronofsky maintained a less cartoonish over-the-top effect, this might have been a stronger film. Having said that, it manipulated my anxiety / OCD so if the film is meant to have that effect, it was a job well done. But I'm not sure that's what he was actually doing. if, as Aronofsky has said, we are not to consider the plot too deeply, justifying criticism of film analysis as pretention, that is as anti-intellectual as we can get. People go to see films for different reasons, and not all films are going to match those different reasons. Here, with mother!, your mileage will definitely vary.
On the other hand, if we are free to analyze, I have a problem with the heteronormative centeredness of the metaphors. I don't have baby anxiety, I don't worry about the suburban horrors, etc. So I'm being forced to view it in those terms and that's not a worldview I want to be forced into viewing it from. And don't even get me started on biblical analysis. Just...no.
Aronofsky needs to make up his mind: is he making film or is he circle-jerking for 2 hours? I'd honestly like to know because, if it's the latter, I'll save my money.
This review of Mother (2016) was written by Craig M on 30 Sep 2017.
Mother has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
