Review of Mother and Child (2009) by Edwin P — 28 Apr 2011
Rodrigo Garcia's "Mother and Child".
The film tells the story of three women and the relationships between a mother and a child. There's Karen (Annette Bening) who gave up her daughter, Elizabeth, (Naomi Watts) for adoption years ago. Elizabeth would turn out to be a very successful and independent person but deep inside she has feelings of abandonment by not having a mother and father to raise her. Then there's Lucy (Kerry Washington) who wants so much to become a mother but the only way she can do it is through adoption.
Their stories intersect and the result is a deeply layered narrative about motherhood, sacrifice, parenting and self-sacrifice. Rodrigo Garcia assembles a very large and talented cast with each one playing a very meaty role as the character each play is richly written. In addition to the three actors noted above, Samuel Jackson, Jimmy Smits, S. Epatha Merkerson and Cherry Jones are also part of the cast.
While intended not to be one, the viewing is timely as it happens a week before Mother's Day weekend. Garcia writes about three women who all yearn for motherhood. As imperfect as they may be, he takes the path not for the audience to cast judgment on them but instead, a resolution towards redemption.
This review of Mother and Child (2009) was written by Edwin P on 28 Apr 2011.
Mother and Child has generally received positive reviews.
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