Film Review: mother!

Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, mother! follows a couple (Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem) whose relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

Rating:

Another Darren Aronofsky film that went straight over my head, but that I’m filled with complete admiration over after finally getting my head around it.

I’m very torn about this film. At the time of watching it, I didn’t think much to it. I loved the casting and enjoyed their performances, and I liked the atmosphere and set up of the story. But then I found the invasion scenes somewhat annoying.

I laughed to myself that Jennifer Lawrence just hated uninvited guests as much as I do when you just want to lounge around in your pyjamas all day but your husband what’s to actually get dressed and do something. And then, you know, it gets dark real quick.

But after making the connection that Mother is Mother Nature and that Him is God, I found a whole new level to the film which has made me start to think differently about it.

Whilst at first I found Jennifer Lawrence’s character weak and vulnerable, I now see that as a strength because Mother Nature can’t do anything to fight back – she has to sit back and watch things get out of control as she tries to warn people, “Stop, look what you’re doing!”

And whilst at first I found Javier Bardem’s character evil, I actually now see the good side to him. He just wanted to create something beautiful for people to enjoy and love; it’s not his fault that people [literally] ripped it to pieces.

That’s how I’m interpreting it anyway, and it’s these connections that have made me realise how powerful this film is.

But, that being said, I felt none of this whilst initially watching the film, so it’s only afterwards when I have thought more about it that I have come to realise all of this, so it might be worth another watch.