Daring and Disturbing

Rating: 9/10 (2 June 2018)

'mother!' is a deeply metaphorical masterpiece by Darren Aronofsky, that is daring as much as it is disturbing. This movie has sparked a myriad of discussions, with some people loving this film and appreciating its depth, while others detest it to the point of calling it one of the worst movies ever made. It's overwhelming atmosphere, the complicated allegory of a plot and the utterly disturbing climax will certainly repulse mainstream movie-goers, but will certainly appeal and be well-loved by those who are into unconventional art-films. I personally found the plot to be refreshing and highly unique, with its underlying Biblical themes a brilliant and well-thought move by Aronofsky. While on the surface, this movie may come across as confusing and messy, once one understands the deeper meaning Aronofsky was going for, and the message he wanted to portray, one can appreciate this movie a whole lot more. Jennifer Lawrence's acting is superb, and certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination. She is also supported by a great supporting cast, with Michelle Pfeiffer being another highlight. The directing in this film is also highly effective, with the up-close camera angles contribute greatly to the overall claustrophobic feeling of the film. The last half-hour of the film has got to be one of the most intense and overwhelming experiences in my movie-watching history that is truly brilliant. While it is certainly disturbing in its own right, and will definitely spark outrage in a lot of people, I personally think it was daring and justifiable by its deeper meaning.