One of the most controversial titles last year (if you don’t include The Last Jedi) was mother! This film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, caused quite a stir. CinemaScore, a company that measures what a moviegoing audience thinks of a film, scored an F, the lowest possible score. During the premiere of the title in Venice people booed the film. Yet Aronofsky understood these reactions, because it is not an easy film to watch, one that makes you feel uncomfortable and there are a lot of people who are not looking for that when they head to the cinema. It made me (partly because Aronofsky’s Black Swan is my all-time favorite movie, even more curious. And without prior knowledge, the impact on me was even bigger.
Lawrence plays a woman who lives in a remote house with her husband (Bardem). The house was once destroyed by a fire, but she takes it upon herself to bring the house back to its old state. The man is a writer who has been suffering from writer’s block for a long time. When an unexpected guest suddenly arrives at the door and the man decides to let him in without consulting his wife this causes problems. It is uncomfortable for her and makes her uneasy. More people start appearing and the question is whether the woman will be able to deal with it.
It is only the beginning of a film where you simply can’t predict what will happen next. It is a film which stirs every emotion, shocking and surprising you. While watching, you try to explain to yourself what it all means and you wonder how much crazier it can all become. What starts as something that is strongly reminiscent of a film like Black Swan on a psychological level, slowly turns into a (psychological) horror film that is not for the faint of heart. Although I myself slowly began to make certain connections and saw the symbolism, it was only after reading a number of other reviews and articles that I could understand it better. That is what I found interesting, because it is not something which is easily digested, but requires more investment from the viewer. Aranofsky knows how to portray the story beautifully and shows that he is not afraid to fully implement his vision, even if that means that many people find it a terrible movie. Those who appreciate it will be treated to a fierce, unpredictable experience.
