Mother
She'll stop at nothing.
Overview
A mother lives quietly with her son. One day, a girl is brutally killed, and the boy is charged with the murder. Now, it's his mother's mission to prove him innocent.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Set in contemporary Japan, 'Mother' delves into the lives of working-class families, providing a glimpse into the struggles and aspirations of lower-income households, a theme often underrepresented in mainstream cinema.
- Offers a deeply moving portrayal of maternal love and sacrifice, with Hirokazu Kore-eda's unique storytelling approach.
- Features exceptional performances by the lead actors, particularly by the non-professional child actor, Momo.
- Explores complex themes such as family dynamics, societal pressures, and the human condition in a thought-provoking manner.
- Boasts a minimalist style that effectively emphasizes emotion and character development.
Fun Facts
- The movie was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
- Hirokazu Kore-eda originally wrote the script based on his experiences as a single father raising his daughter.
- The character of Yuki, played by the non-professional actor Momo, was inspired by Kore-eda's own daughter.
Available Languages
English
US
Title: Mother
"She'll stop at nothing."
Italiano
IT
Title: Madre
"Non vi credo. Io non mi fermerò."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Mother
""
Pусский
RU
Title: Мать
"Её любовь уже ничто не остановит"
Français
FR
Title: Mother
""
Português
PT
Title: Mother - Uma Força Única
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Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
This is a corking film from Bong Joon Ho with an equally super performance from Hye-ja Kim as the "Mother". Her son "Soon Do-joon" (Won Bin) is accused of murdering a young girl. The police seem convinced of his guilt and her lawyer suggests he be detained in an hospital - rather than a prison - so she sets out, determinedly, to establish his innocence. As she takes to her task, she soon becomes obsessed, her own mental stability begins to wobble and we are drawn into a dark, almost sombre, crime thriller. It has plenty of twists and turns, and by the end (which comes pretty much from the left field) I almost felt exhausted. This is as engrossing a film as I've seen in many years, with an excellent (almost Andalusian in style) accompanying score - well worth watching. (Maybe less so if you are not so keen on acupuncture needles!)
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar
Media
Featurette
Mark Kermode reviews Bong Joon-ho's Mother | BFI Player
Trailer
Trailer