Review of Mother and Child (2009) by Tanya K — 24 Jul 2010
I haven't seen an emotionally-charged character drama this powerful since "Little Children". Garcia takes his pedigree of studying women to unlimited heights in "Mother and Child", where he garners three powerful, award-worthy performances.
Bening breathes both off-standish coldness and beautiful compassion simultaneously, charting an unpredictable yet clear development as a woman who's looking for one thing to cling onto after losing her only daughter years ago.
Watts gives her best performance yet (or, at least, since her debut in Lynch's thriller) as a bitter woman who unconsciously yearns for human connection but can't break out of her shelled exterior; she evokes both fear and control so effortlessly that it's unbelievable that you're watching an actress at work.
And Washington turns in a thoughtful, funny performance as a woman who knows what she wants but struggles to come to terms with the 'why' factor. Garcia weaves these three lives terrifically in a powerful plot beaming with strong dialogue and terrific supporting turns, especially from Samuel L.
Jackson and Cherry Jones. It's hard-to-watch and stark; but "Mother and Child" is uncommonly deep and dark, yet welcomingly tender at the same time. Films like these are too rare to come along these days--Garcia delivers an excellent drama.
This review of Mother and Child (2009) was written by Tanya K on 24 Jul 2010.
Mother and Child has generally received positive reviews.
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