Mother Load

Rating: 4/10 (16 September 2017)

(RATING: ☆☆ out of 5)
GRADE: C-
THIS FILM IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: A familiar horror genre formula that is given a high class treatment, even if the bizarre script makes no logical sense whatever.
SYNOPSIS: A psychological thriller in which a couple deals with strange goings-on.
Darren Aronofsky's mother! is a film that comes with no capital letter, an exclamation point to inform moviegoers that there will be much emotional tension, and a whole lot of surreal Biblical images with which to contend. Too derivative of Rosemary's Baby to be called original. the film does follow that formula of a damsel-in-distress horror movie with dark psychological tones. It does showcase some fine acting, strong production values, and intense visuals, but it is real miss, as movies go...and a mess too.
While the film has been called thought-provoking and disturbing by some critics, the only thought it provoked from me was, "How can this film make any sense to anyone unless it's a really a dream / nightmare? The characters' behaviors are so bizarre, the time frame confusing, violent actions have no repercussions, and the outrageous plot leaps, no,...vaults over, any logical sense of reality." No, I won't divulge the actual answer to that question, if you indeed make it to the end of this overwrought exercise in filmmaking, but instead I will add another thought, "Did anyone involved in this movie stop and say to the director that his screenplay is laughable rather than scary and so over-the-top it strains credibility? Couldn't anyone say no to this dumb script?"
An opening scene provides a short prologue that makes one wonder about the film's meandering plot almost immediately. We meet our soon-to-be victim and soon-to-be mother (Jennifer Lawrence), hence the title. Nothing seems right from the outset. Everyone around her is automatically suspicious or seems to have ulterior motives, including her poet husband, unnamed in the script. He is played with (possible) customary menace by Javier Bardem. The duo seem the oddest of couples right from the start: she, being his supportive obedient muse, and he, the tortured artist type. They buy a secluded country home far away from neighbors (always the first mistake in this genre), although it seems that everyone materializes out of nowhere and is stopping by this depot on a regular basis: First a stranger/ literary fan (Ed Harris) visits and is conveniently invited to stay the night, followed by his shrewish wife (a scene stealing Michelle Pfeiffer). Next comes their two gonzo sons (substitute Cain and Abel, played by Domhnall and Brian Gleeson), and then an array of hundreds of others drop-in. (I'm not exaggerating, trust me.)
￼mother! is a psychological horror genre film seen as ART, all in capitals. The film mixes nightmarish suspense, due to the director's strong vision. Even if the story is very lightweight and a tad pretentious, the overall result is still visually effective. (You know that you are suppose to be experiencing "high art" when the characters are named Him, Her, Man Woman.) But the film cannot camouflage its base origins as a typical horror film all gussied up to create those bumps in the night (which never materialize) and wallow in its shock appeal.
mother! slowly builds on its psychological tension to its bizarre and surreal Grand Guignol conclusion. The first act of the film focuses on the main character's possible motives and odd behavior while the second act becomes a frenzied rush of violence and gore to appease the horror crowd. Moviegoers, overly familiar with these scare tactics, will have a been-there-done- that vibe. It's a real mishmash, but an artful journey into madness. Mr. Aronofsky sets up his action and intensifies his subject with overt religious symbolism and gruesome images that may shock and offend his audience. His hellish hallucinations, of which there are many, resonate, even if his own screenplay lacks imagination and cohesion.
The cast play out their roles with much energy and passion. Jennifer Lawrence is excellent and plays her every-woman with much verve. Mr. Bardem gives his one-dimensional role some needed depth. Mr. Harris and especially Ms. Pfeiffer round out the ensemble with solid turns.
Yet the film's underlying theme, that fame and obsession can corrupt one's soul, takes a backseat to the non-existent scares and chills. As written in Mr. Aronofsky's jumbled script, Mr. Bardem's poet character remains an enigma throughout and his actions may show a vain and unloving husband or a confused helpless artist allowing his ambition to run amok. Ms. Lawrence's title character is part doormat / part romantic. We know opposite can attract but we never feel that there is any connection with the couple. Their give-and-take moments lead to a completely laughable (rather than horrifying) and unsatisfying conclusion.
mother! is far from great cinema. Yes, it is a skillfully well-crafted horror film, even if the script is all over the place. It remains a major disappointment from a talented director. The film's title may end in that dubious exclamation point, but perhaps a question mark might be a more fitting punctuation.
￼NOTE: The poster truly captures the grotesqueness of the film and its in-your-face shock value very well. The false sense of beauty and innocence is set off balance with the bloody surreal image of that bleeding heart and the blood-soaked virginal white dress. Superb use of contrast and style. Actually, the poster is better the film. Watch that instead!