Mother (2020): Darkness of love and the poverty trap

Written by Colin Wu

No major spoilers ahead don’t worry ;)

Japan’s indie film scene in recent years seems to be doubling down on family dramas that touch on generational tensions, parenting struggles, and patient yet emotionally dense narratives. Allegedly inspired by a true story (though I can’t find this online), Mother マザー (2020) directed by Tatsushi Omori is no slouch either. This Japanese release by Netflix tells a painful story of manipulation, rigid social structures, and love. A lifetime of cyclical debauchery and unwise decisions plague the poverty-stricken lives of a mother and son where they are forced to beg, deceive, and steal from their family and society. The film reminds me of Uncut Gems directed by the Safdie brothers which also made a lot of noise last year on Netflix. By no way do I imply that Mother is a derivative of Uncut Gems, I just find a point of similarity when it comes to the characters taking the ‘wrong’ steps in every turn.

Lost in a world and within their aimless life, poverty is portrayed as hereditary. The line between the antagonist and protagonist constantly switches between the characters and even coexists at times. Society is both tired of them and trying to help them, though dignity and ego - and obviously many gender, socio-economical, and age-related norms - continue to grind them down. I found myself hoping so much for the characters just for the film to drag me - and the characters - through more misery. The final act shocked me to the core despite the already intense elements of the preceding narrative. It leaves you frustrated. It leaves you thinking. And it leaves you wishing for all the 'only ifs' to have come true.

The film is saturated with brutal realism. It may be a slow watch for many, though will be worth your time for most. Perhaps not the best date or party movie. *Find this on the Hong Kong or US Netflix*

What to pay attention to:

- Recurring symbols and narratives → certain character decisions, relationships, and the cinematography are just subtle enough to not make it feel too on the nose whilst adding a deeper layer to the themes explored in the film - unlike Enola Holmes *cough cough*.

- Acting → especially the female lead ‘Akiko’ is without a doubt a standout though at times it can feel too much or exaggerated.

- Rhythm of the film → Though quite abstract, feel how the editing, long shots, and time jumps contribute to your viewing experience and the meaning of the story.

Possible lenses to view the film:

1. The son, Shuhei, as the protagonist and antagonist

2. How family, love, and loyalty are intertwined

3. The various depictions of parenting and care

4. Beyond the actual story, why did Omori choose to focus on a mother and not a father?

5. How the cityscape and socio-cultural space of Japan are significant, or not

For more information click here

IMDb: Mother (2020)

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