Skip to main content

Mommy (2014)

Mommy (2014) movie poster

Mommy is a 2014 Canadian drama film directed by Xavier Dolan. It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. The film won nine Canadian Screen Awards at the 3rd Canadian Screen Awards in 2015, including Best Motion Picture and ten Jutra Awards at the 17th Jutra Awards, including Best Film. It was also Best Foreign Film at the 40th César Awards. Mommy was selected as the Canadian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.

A widowed single mother, raising her violent son alone, finds new hope when a mysterious neighbor inserts herself into their household.

***Spoiler Alert***

K: He's a young 27-year-old French-Canadian director with his own recognizable style; always one of the favorites at the Cannes Film Festival. People love him or hate him after seeing his movies. He makes us feel something; he doesn't leave us in a state of indifference! This is Xavier Dolan and his “Mommy”. It was the second time that I'd watched the movie and my emotions after the end credits got even stronger. Freddy, what do you think about “Mommy”? As for me, this movie touched different strings in my soul and I think the effect will stay the same or even more intense as I get older. The film is very thought-provoking in a way that it shows an unacceptable relationship between a son (Steve) and a mother (Diane).

F: First thing I want to say about this movie is that the soundtrack is totally obnoxious. We have Oasis and Dido songs that were already used to exhaustion, Lana del Ray, and those violins in Diane's daydream sequence were turning me into Steve; I just felt like screaming and bashing my TV set against the wall.

killing violins

F: I'm trying to understand if I liked this movie or not... I'm reading other reviews and everyone just seemed so moved. I see so much laughter and tears, such intensity, so much wow, very heartbreaking... It was applauded for 9 minutes in Cannes! And yet... here I am... feeling nothing. What's wrong with me? Sometimes I even got annoyed with it and asked where this movie was going and why. The narrative is weak. Anne Dorval and Antoine-Olivier Pilon's performances are great, and that's what made me not totally dislike this movie. Somehow I can't get that feeling of something real happening; I can't get deep with the characters.

kyla and steve

K: This is a really alarming movie, a bit inflated in time and extremely expressive, even if you’re about to press X to turn it off, you can’t, 'cause for some reason something just doesn’t let you do it. You feel spellbound by this nerve-wrecking melodrama. The relationship between Steve and Diane is totally shocking. He calls his mother - a bitch and she calls him back – a bastard, but anyway, they learn how to live together peacefully. Steve loves his mother crazily, love that can destroy and kill! Only Kyla, the stuttering and quiet neighbor across the street, could help him find some temporary peace, to feel hope and teach him that happiness is possible in their life.

F: I like it when Steve flips out at the Céline Dion karaoke scene. That's my favorite moment in the movie. Unlike you, Krasnaya I wasn't that shocked by the mother-son relationship, maybe because I also come from a highly dysfunctional family and I'm used to that kind of drama.

steve's karaoke

K: The love Steve feels for his mother is more than his son’s love; it gets closer and closer to incest, but Dolan has been smart enough not to be too explicit about this. He found another way to exteriorize the demons that his characters had. He did it by extending the image, the format of the movie changes, creating this metaphor for moments of total freedom and happiness. The other 2 hours, his characters are trapped in a 1:1 format, and this Instagram square wonderfully shows all the emotions that the characters are feeling. The cast is just perfect: Anne Dorval (Diane), Suzanne Clement (Kyla) and Antoine-Olivier Pilon did their job amazingly. Every gesture, every move, every emotion, and even every breath is on the place! And bravo to Andre Turpin for the high-quality picture. I’m not going to say anything about the music in this movie. It’s different for everyone; me, for example, didn’t bother me that much and didn’t spoil the feeling on the screen. I’d say this movie should be watched just because it won’t leave you indifferent.

F: Soooo, yeah, the aspect ratio was a cool idea; it gave me a feeling of suffocation of the mind and emotions lived by the characters. I have to watch some other Dolan movies to understand if I should love or hate this guy...

Krasnaya score: 90/100
Freddy's score: 59/100

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: MatÄ«ss KaĹľa, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, MatÄ«ss KaĹľa Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...

A Quick Hiatus, But I've Got an Exciting Offer for You!

Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well! I just wanted to drop in and let you know that unfortunately, I won't be able to keep up with the movie reviews for a while. The reason? I've just launched my brand-new website (which is super exciting!), and right now, I'm putting all my energy into building my business and helping clients. I've got my hands full, but I'll be back with movie reviews soon enough! I appreciate your understanding and patience. That being said, if you're thinking about starting your own business, I've got an offer that might just be the push you need to get things rolling! Have you thought about starting your own business? How about a free website to finally turn that idea into reality? At SOS Design, we're offering a One Page website valued at $863 to help entrepreneurs like you take their first step online! 🔹 Entries open until April 30th 🎉 Winner announced on May 1st! Don't miss this opportunity! Participate now...

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...