Bizarre and story lacking

Rating: 4/10 (24 June 2018)

Mother! written and directed by Darren Aronofsky is a rather less than self indulgent art designed piece. The first half is surprising and rather good as watchable although we are wondering what the film is about and what's going on but the second half (around when "mother" becomes pregnant) is a chaotic, indulgent and eventually rather disgusting mess.
Aronofksy unsettles us from the start with a shot of a woman apparently burning to death. Then he dazzles us as a derelict house is brought almost magically back to life before our eyes.
It is here than an unnamed young woman (Jennifer Lawrence) lives with her significantly older husband (Javier Bardem). Their agreed division of labour is that she will restore the house while he writes. But he's blocked and can't write a word. Their idyllic-looking relationship in this idyllic-looking house is beginning to crumble.
Mother! is a strange film but things apparently just happen without any plot or sort of reason. First people barge into the house where we see Jennifer Lawrence's character having any sense and wanting them to leave, but Javier Bardem's character thinking that everyone who enters are fans of his (as they mention he is a big "writer/poet" of some sort) as he seems to be more of a push over and doesn't care that people (especially towards the end) are destroying his house. What made little sense and was bothersome is the lack of names. What we don't get is why no one asked for their names.
Mother! isn't as deep or bold as some claim, at parts it is quite unique and watchable to see chaos happen but in the end, we are left with wondering as to what the point was. Also featured a lot of close ups with clear camera focus, especially towards their facials.