Mother and Child (2010)

"Mother and Child" was written and directed by Rodrigo García. It came out in 2009 but is now just opening in Indianapolis. The story alludes to many different mother and child relationships but mainly focuses on three women: a 50 year old woman played by Annette Benning, the 37 year old daughter she gave up for adoption played by Naomi Watts, and another woman looking to adopt a child of her own played by Kerry Washington.

Even though there are cases of a man and a woman together discussing a child, the focus is always on the woman's reaction and emotions to events going on around her. It may sound chick-flicky, but this was a powerful drama that transcends that. This was a very effective piece of work carried off brilliantly mostly due to these three women and a few more besides.

Annette Bening hasn't lost her touch. Her character, Karen had to give up her baby for adoption at age 14 and it has plagued her life nonstop ever since. She never moved out and still takes care of her ill and aged mother, Nora played by Eileen Ryan who made this decision for her. To say she is a very "difficult" person to get close to would be an understatement, she is practically a hedgehog! The only coping mechanism she appears to get by with is writing letters in a journal to the daughter she never met wondering how she is and if she was raised well. Bening successfully froze herself at the social development state of a 14 year old in interacting with others and is very guarded even when attempting to ask a new man at her workplace out for coffee.

Her unknown daughter, Naomi Watts' Elizabeth has raised herself well after never being very close with her adopted parents and being self sufficient since age 17. She is a very successful lawyer who has been paving a very smooth path for herself though it has been full of detours since she moves around often. Elizabeth too is a very guarded person, but she does it with extreme confidence and very willful sexual pursuits. Watts plays Elizabeth as an individual so strong that it is also her weakness as she refuses to accept help from others as part of her rigid independence.

Kerry Washington's character, Lucy and her husband, Joseph (David Ramsey) have been unable to conceive for four years so they are now pursuing adoption and are undergo the rigorous interviewing process of a 20 year old pregnant college student (Shareeka Epps). Once again, it just goes to show how much more difficult it is to get through the adoption process than successfully having your own child and that always makes me wish natural parenting should have to take a test or something. Kerry Washington gives an outstanding performance of a woman so frustrated by her limitations and desperate to be approved to be a mother. Washington in one scene was THIS close to bringing me to tears and I personally have no interest in having a child but her intense fighting desire to have a baby just got to me. Her mother is played by one of my favorite "Law & Order" actors, S. Epatha Merkerson whose no nonsense approach always sets Washington's character, Lucy on edge but at the same time Lucy needs to be snapped out of it sometimes to grow up.

One of my other favorite characters in this film was Sister Joanne played by Cherry Jones who was the Madam President on "24" for the last two seasons. I absolutely adore her and she got to play into her caring sensibilities and kind nature in a very difficult occupation trying to help people connect when they are the most emotionally vulnerable.

Sure, there were plenty of guy characters in this story but the story was written for and to appeal to women primarily and it succeeds by leaps and bounds in telling an emotional story that appeals to that ingrained maternal instinct in all of us by moreover reminds us once again how short life is and that you have to act quickly if you do not want to suffer thirty plus years of regret. Nice drama.

Rodrigo Garcia's "Mother and Child" is an incredible and emotionally epic film. We didn't need any more proof that Annette Bening and Naomi Watts were two of the best actresses in their age groups, but this film cements the deal. Bening (with her searing turn in this film as well as The Kids Are All Right) and Watts (completing her 2010 hat trick with You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and Fair Game) are so compelling and affecting. Kerry Washington also delivers fine work here, completing the trio of women whose lives have been affected for generations by adoption. Garcia's writing is poignant and far reaching. He has an amazing command over this three leads, the story, it's progressionboth narratively and fated, and his many supporting players (most notably Samuel L. Jackson and Jimmy Smits). "Mother and Child" is a film that reminds us how affecting a symbolic, well told and meaningful story can be. How well written characters experiencing real emotion are the truest of special effects. "Mother and Child" is an outstanding motion picture.

It's almost kind of shocking how "Mother and Child" was and is ignored, this is what so many movies should be like.

Buy Mother and Child (2010) Now

i'm not usually drawn to tear-driven movies...but this one is quite an exception. Annette Bening, as usual, plays exceptional well...and the story is so awesome and realistic, it is in fact a lot of people's story.

Can't wait to see again on the upcoming DVD. MUST-SEE, especially if you're sensitive enough:)))

Read Best Reviews of Mother and Child (2010) Here

Imagine a film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu but with a linear narrative. Imagine now a superb extended metaphor on adoption, hence on filiation, interpreted by actors skillfully directed. You get it ? Now, you have before your very eyes one of the best American movies of 2009. Unfairly ignored. Masterpiece.

Want Mother and Child (2010) Discount?

Annette Bening won raves for THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT but I like her even better in this film which unfortunately was not seen by that many people. Bening portrays a woman who gave birth at 14 and was forced to put the child up for adoption. That girl, now grown, is played by Naomi Watts and the film also deals with her life and

how she has hardened herself not to be hurt. The third story involves a childness

African-American couple who wish to adopt a child. The three stories come together by the end of the film. There are very fine performances from Cherry Jones and

Epatha Merkerson. This is why I love home video. A movie that might have disappeared after a couple of weeks in the theaters gets an extended life. I strongly recommend this film.

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