Review of Mother and Child (2009) by Caleb N — 22 May 2010
"Mother and Child" weaves the stories of three women (Annette Bening, Naomi Watts and Kerry Washington) - a mother who gave up her child for adoption, a child who yearns to know her real mother, and a woman eager to adopt after pregnancy fails her - into a superbly-acted, compelling drama.
Bening is superb; her frigid Karen mourns the child she was forced to give up for adoption by her resentful mother (Eileen Ryan). Her thaw is brought about by the attention of kindly co-worker (Jimmy Smits).
Watts throws herself into her role as the film's most unlikeable character, a man-eating lawyer who has isolated herself from everyone. Washington channels marital despair as a woman unable to provide her husband (and his overbearing mother) with a "natural" son.
If "Mother and Child" sounds like a slice of depressing cinema, well, it is - director Rodrigo Garcia ("Things You Can Tell By Looking At Her") is not interested in harmonious family portraits or pat endings.
His movie never shies away from the messiness of life, the untidy endings to family dramas. It's a rare, moving film - a welcome arrival as the summer movie season (and the dismal offerings it brings) occupies the multiplex.
This review of Mother and Child (2009) was written by Caleb N on 22 May 2010.
Mother and Child has generally received positive reviews.
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