37. mother!

I feel like mother! has been quite well publicised and advertised, I've seen the trailer at the cinema, I've heard it being spoken about on the radio, and there even was an advert for it in a podcast I listen to, My Favorite Murder. Incidentally, if you are fascinated by true crime, you need to listen to My Favorite Murder, it's great! Anyway, from what I could see, I needed to watch this film. Psychological thrillers are definitely my jam. Ali Plumb's review on radio 1 gave it simultaneously a 2 and 4 out of 5. I was even more intrigued.

mother! is the story of Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem's relationship, and the house they live in. And yes, it is as strange as it sounds. None of the character's in the film are named, and I only realised this towards the end, but actually I think it is quite effective. The acting by both Lawrence and Bardem was so great (as to be expected) that you feel feelings towards the characters, without knowing very much about them at all. One day a stranger arrives at the house, thinking it is a B&B, and Bardem insists he stays as it is night time. Strange things happen with his arrival, and the following day, his wife invites herself in as well. She is quite bolshy, brash and rude, and rubs Lawrence up the wrong way. Next the two sons arrive, and things take a completely different turn.

Now I don't want to ruin the film, but from this point, the whole plot goes a bit mad. Completely wild and mad and I have no idea what went on. We know Lawrence has a connection with the house and hates the visitors disturbing it and it only becomes clear at the very end what the connection is. The film becomes very abstract and I can see why people wouldn't like the film, and why it really is an arthouse movie.

I did like the questions the film throws up, about fame, family and celebrity. I also think it was quite political and asked some religious questions as well. And with that, I can understand why it may be controversial. I really don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil the film, but it really is bizarre.

The acting in the film was great, I really enjoyed the first half of the film, and I like the fact I left the cinema wondering what the hell was going on. You really want to know what's coming next throughout the whole film. Incidentally, the film isn't particularly scary or jumpy, as you may guess from the trailer. It's neither of those things, it's just plain weird.

I kind of want to copy Ali Plumb and give it a 4 and a 7 out of 10, but I'm going to lean towards 7/10 because in all fairness, I was entertained, and I did enjoy it. I'm glad I went to see it, and if you've been umming and ahhing about going, I think it is worth a watch. Just be aware it's weird as hell and you'll have no idea what's going on by 1hr 45!