X
- 2010
- R
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 2 h 5 m
- 2010
- R
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 2 h 5 m
Summary Three women's lives share a common core: they have all been profoundly affected by adoption. Karen placed a baby for adoption at age 14 and has been haunted ever since by the daughter she never knew. Elizabeth grew up as an adopted child; she's a bright and ambitious lawyer, but a flinty loner in her personal life. Lucy is just embarking...
Directed By: Rodrigo García
Written By: Rodrigo García
- 2010
- R
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 2 h 5 m
- 2010
- R
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 2 h 5 m
Mother and Child
64
7.6
Where to Watch
Summary Three women's lives share a common core: they have all been profoundly affected by adoption. Karen placed a baby for adoption at age 14 and has been haunted ever since by the daughter she never knew. Elizabeth grew up as an adopted child; she's a bright and ambitious lawyer, but a flinty loner in her personal life. Lucy is just embarking...
Directed By: Rodrigo García
Written By: Rodrigo García
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 32 Critic Reviews
64
72% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
25% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 32 Critic Reviews
64
72% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
25% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
A flawless film of heartrending realism about the eternal chord that binds parents and children and the emptiness when they are separated.
If nothing else, Garcia's movie is a brave one, with its unflinching look at adoption, which -- as overwhelmingly compassionate an act as it is -- often leaves behind deep emotional scars.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 34 User Ratings
7.6
74% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
18% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
9% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 34 User Ratings
7.6
74% Positive
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
18% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
9% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
This is a movie with strong women front and center and much softer men definitely on the perimeter. Benning is incredible, and with her acting in "The kids are all right" she ought to at least get the best female actor of the season award. She plays a brittle, socially **** spinster living with her frail ailing mother. We learn early that she gave up her child at 14, and we are to presume that this has brought her to cope by keeping people at a distance, which she does with great success through the personality of a haughty, reactive, woman with her own arcane sense of social propriety.
The child she gave up is played by Naomi Watts, who is also a bitter loner who has her mother's genes and the story to match. Naomi's character is far more powerful than Bennings. While Benning is a shrill, cold, arrogant woman who's defensiveness is expressed in attack, Naomi is a control Goddess, who uses her intellectual and sexual power to move men around like pieces on a check board. She seduces her boss (Samuel Jackson in a mellower role) after taking umbrage at his inviting her to dinner alone. The message is clear: "I make the moves here." Then without much of a break she seduces the next door married neighbor. Because she can? Partly, but I suspect mostly to strike back at his wife's pregnancy.
The third mother in this story is played by Kerry Washington a married woman determined to adopt the child she cannot conceive. The woman whose child she wishes to adopt (played with fierce intensity by Shareeka Epps) is another strong woman. She's not simply giving up a child she's going to arrange it's future environment as much as she can. She doesnâ
Report
Narrated in a realistic tone, it tells a linked story about a bond that is invisible but unbreakable: that of mothers and daughters. It is not for nothing that the film had the patronage of Alejandro González Iñarritu. An example of how to make and sell a story that awakens the viewer's empathy without the hook of cheap sentimentality. Watch and learn, Hallmark.
Report
This is well worth seeing for Bening's arresting, unpleasant performance.
When it comes to family togetherness, love and quality time are thicker than blood, water or just about any other social glue you can think of. That's the admirable if hardly news-breaking message of Rodrigo Garcia's domestic drama Mother and Child, whose official thread is the impact of adoption on three different women.
Annette Bening is the most pivotal character in the movie, both angry and scared.
A slow and lugubrious film about the impact of adoption on the lives of three women.
I felt a bit confused about the various people in this film, where their stories were heading and things but it certainly all came together by the end. It packs an emotional punch, especially if you've been affected by mothering/parental issues (conceiving etc.). Its a bit of a sad watch at times but not all the way through and it provides some thought provoking moments, certainly. The theme is handled well and I'd recommend it, yes.
Report
Some bonds are so strong that when broken the individuals previously connected can no longer function properly. Mother and child explore the mother and child bond and the effects it has on a woman desperately needing to be a mom and also a woman and her daughter separated at birth. The performances are pitch perfect from Bening, Watts and the remainder of the cast.
Report
mother and child
The fact that the director of the film is the son of Gabriel García Márquez increases the desire to see the film. "mother and child" is the story of women's suffering, despair and bitter loneliness. The film has a philosophical theme and the film revolves around women and the relationship between self and childbearing. As the film progresses and the narratives of three different women come together, the film gets better. Although the connection between these three narratives becomes somewhat predictable from the middle of the film, the film is worth watching with brilliant performances and a good script.
Report
Only saw the second part of this, but each of the leading ladies did a great job and the story and writing was solid. I hope to watch this all the way through one day.
Report
While watching this film, one realizes that Rodrigo Garcia has been making the same movie... during all his career. His themes, style and framing is exactly the same throughout his work, maybe except for TV. It is a shame about this flick, a strong cast that turns awry due to the predictability of every single character an shot in the movie. Such a shame.
Report
Production Company
Everest Entertainment,
Cha Cha Chá Films,
Mockingbird Pictures
Release Date May 7, 2010
Duration 2 h 5 m
Rating R
Tagline All roads of life lead to one.
Awards
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Women Film Critics Circle Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 2 Nominations
