Skip to main content

I Killed My Mother (2009)


I Killed My Mother is a 2009 Canadian drama film written, directed, produced by and starring Xavier Dolan, in his directorial debut. The film attracted international press attention when it won three awards from the Director's Fortnight program at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. After being shown, the film received a standing ovation. It was shown in 12 cinemas in Quebec and 60 in France.

A semi-autobiographical story about Hubert as a young homosexual at odds with his mother.

Freddy and Krasnaya Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

K: Today we have the first film directed by Xavier Dolan. I Killed My Mother is a 2009 movie which received 28 awards at various film festivals. Wow! The film, semi-autobiographical, was written by Dolan at the age of 16. This film is an explosive revelation. With this film, Dolan poured out everything that "hurt" in his soul. The film is very bright, sincere, realistic, and emotional. I bet almost everyone had fits of anger towards their own parents, irritation at their bad taste, and a desire to leave home.

F: Hello there. I say that this is a very courageous debut by Xavier Dolan. I don't know if it's more courageous for its open homosexuality or for the exposure of the love-hate relationship between Dolan and his mother. I have to tell you that I liked this movie, because the relationship that I had with my mother as a teenager was very similar. Some of the screaming scenes even brought to memory some stuff that was kind of forgotten by me. For example, as it happens in the movie, my mother also used to compare me with other kids all the time and laugh at moments where I was feeling total distress. The conversations between Hubard and his mother inside the car were very familiar to me... My relationship was way more hardcore than this though. So that you can have an idea. One time I threatened to kill us on the road by turning the wheel while she was driving. She kicked me out of the car. I kicked the wheel and started walking. I was about 10 kilometers from home. I walked for a while until she asked to come back inside the car. I didn't answer for a while but ended up getting back in. Oh yeah, there was a friend of mine in total shock in the backseat. She threatened me by saying that my father was going to hear all about this and I was in big trouble. This was just a normal day for me and her. The discussion that led to this situation started because my friend that was in the car paid me for an ice tea from the machine and she didn't like that... go figure...  

Jackson Pollock GIF
Very creativity, much art.
K: Dolan (Hubert)  played himself, throwing out all his emotions at us. Hubert evoked in me indignation (well, you can’t do this with your mom), and understanding (all those flowers around his mom’s terrible bad taste), and empathy for the fact that his mom didn't want to hear him. Anne Dorval (Chantale) perfectly embodied the image of a wayward mother on the screen. Coolly calm most of the screen time, towards the end, she "explodes" in the scene of a telephone conversation with the director of the boarding school - I had goosebumps from such emotions! Also, I would like to note the work of the cameraman. The film has a number of amazing shots, the picture is bright and very stylish. Music is atmospheric and takes away into the depths of everything that happens, exactly the kind that the pictures needed.

F: See, 0 indignation for Dolan's character from me. I understand what it's like to be a "bad son". This movie works because it's very honest and I'm certain that some of the scenes are very close to what was really lived before. I agree with you, good acting, cinematography and this time there wasn't any wrist-slashing music. Still, there were some cheesy moments for me and a strong moment of grimace, but I was able to live through it. I have to mention my favorite moment. That was when Hubert fell into his father's trap. The smashing of the windows during this scene was very effective and well put in the editing mix. Through that image I could feel that anger of not being listened to in my bones .

I KILLED MY MOTHER GIF
My favorite scene (watch it below)
K: I can only admire the talent of Dolan, who made a wonderful art-house film, which, I think, will be of interest to many, simply because almost everyone has gone through a similar period in life, and I think it is very important to rethink such periods and the film helps a lot in this. Isn't it, Freddy?  

F: Surely it was a memory-provoking movie for me. I've enjoyed it and I recommend it to every teenager who has trouble with their parents. It can help you feel a little less alone, I think. For some other audience, I can see it coming off just as an egocentric spoiled teenager rant of a movie.

I KILLED MY MOTHER GIF
High on hashish (watch full scene below)
Freddy's Score: 60/100
Krasnaya's Score: 70/100

FINAL SCORE

FATHER'S TRAP

ANNOYING MOTHER

HIGH ON HASH

Our blog is update everyday at 21:00 (WEST)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Straw (2025)

Plot Summary: Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson), a desperate single mother of a seriously ill daughter, spirals through eviction, job loss, and tragedy in one catastrophic day. In a last-ditch attempt to get medicine, she starts a bank standoff — but a shocking twist reveals her daughter actually died hours earlier, and Janiyah has been dissociating from reality. Eventually, with support from a bank manager and detective, she surrenders peacefully amid growing public sympathy. Director & Writer: Tyler Perry Producer(s): Tyler Perry Cinematography: Justyn Moro Music: Dara Taylor Editing: Nick Coker Cast: Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson Sherri Shepherd as Nicole (bank manager) Teyana Taylor as Detective Raymond Sinbad as Benny Glynn Turman as Richard (Janiyah’s boss) Rockmond Dunbar as Chief Wilson Ashley Versher as Tessa  ...

Deep Cover (2025)

Plot Summary: An improv comedy teacher (Bryce Dallas Howard) and two of her students (Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed) are recruited by a corrupt cop (Sean Bean) to go undercover. They infiltrate London's criminal world, using their acting skills to catch a gang, only to find themselves deeper in danger and needing to improvise their way out. Director: Tom Kingsley Screenplay: Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen Producers: Colin Trevorrow, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Music: Daniel Pemberton Cinematography: Will Hanke Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kat Boyles Orlando Bloom as Marlon Swift Nick Mohammed as Hugh Sean Bean as DS Graham Billings Paddy Considine as Fly Ian McShane as Metcalfe Sonoya Mizuno as Shosh Studio / Distributor: Metronome Film Company, Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation / Amazon Prime Video ...

Echo Valley (2025)

Plot Summary: Grieving widow Kate Garrett (J. Moore) struggles to keep her Pennsylvania horse farm afloat after losing her wife. When her estranged, drug-addicted daughter Claire (S. Sweeney) returns bloodied and in distress, a gripping thriller unfolds as Kate fights to protect her child, confronting escalating danger, moral dilemmas, and the lengths a mother will go to save her kids. Director: Michael Pearce Screenplay: Brad Ingelsby Producers: Brad Ingelsby, Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Kevin J. Walsh Music: Jed Kurzel Cinematography: Benjamin Kračun Starring: Julianne Moore as Kate Garrett Sydney Sweeney as Claire Garrett Domhnall Gleeson as Jackie Kyle MacLachlan as Richard Garrett Fiona Shaw as Jessie Oliver Edmund Donovan as Ryan   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Cheese, Wine and Echo Valley Alright, so picture this. It’s a ...

Friendship (2024)

Plot Summary: Suburban dad Craig Waterman (Tim Robinson) becomes obsessed with new neighbor Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd). A quirky bromance spirals into a cringe-filled, emotional unraveling as Craig struggles with boundaries and rejection. Director & Writer: Andrew DeYoung Producer(s): Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Johnny Holland, Nick Weidenfeld Music: Keegan DeWitt Cinematography: Andy Rydzewski Editing: Sophie Corra Starring: Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman Paul Rudd as Austin Carmichael Kate Mara as Tami Waterman Jack Dylan Grazer as Steven Waterman Josh Segarra, Billy Bryk, Jason Veasey and others   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Wild Ride into Unhinged Genius Alright, instant noodles, shrimp flavor, done. Now for the actual love letter to Friendship, that magnificent, fucked-up black comedy that quite literally brought Tim R...

Moana 2 (2024)

Plot Summary: Moana, now a master wayfinder, sets sail with her new crew to restore the lost island Motufetu and reconnect ocean tribes. Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller Producers: Christina Chen, Yvett Merino (with Jennifer Lee credited on fandom) Screenplay: Written by Jared Bush & Dana Ledoux Miller; story by Bush, Miller & Bek Smith Starring (voice cast): Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana Dwayne Johnson as Maui Hualālai Chung as Moni Rose Matafeo as Loto David Fane as Kele Awhimai Fraser as Matangi Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Simea Alan Tudyk as Heihei Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui Nicole Scherzinger as Sina   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Back to the Ocean, But With Cautious Toes Saturday after lunch, full belly, and we hit play on Moana 2. If you’ve read my love letter to the first movie, you know it h...

Europe's Lithium Paradox (2025)

Plot Summary: This eye-opening documentary explores Europe's struggle to harness its own lithium resources for clean energy. Although rich in lithium reserves, the continent relies heavily on imports. The film examines environmental concerns, community resistance, and growing calls for sustainable and socially responsible mining practices. Director: Stijn van Baarle Presenter: Peter Tom Jones Production Company: Journeyman Pictures, Storyrunner, SIM² KU Leuven Runtime: 56 minutes Original Language: English Featuring: Peter Tom Jones (Self)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** First Impressions from the Portuguese Trenches Let me just say it straight: this documentary is a slap in the face. We’re being f*cked over. Our land, our hills, our Barroso, is getting auctioned off to some British company that plans to drill hole after miserable hole like it's a goddamn dartbo...