Mother and Child
Cinema Nova, 10/08/2010
Status: Behind by 10 films
A film that revolves around three women and their relationship to adoption is clearly setting its sights on a particular slice of the movie going market. Rather predictably, the screenplay is very much anchored on the heartstrings and an emotional reaction to an emotional issue. The performances of the three women - ANNETTE BENING (The Kids are All Right, American Beauty), NAOMI WATTS (Mulholland Drive, The International) and KERRY WASHINGTON (Last King of Scotland, Fantastic Four) - are what really lift this film out of the ordinary.
Ably assisted by a great support cast (including JIMMY SMITS (“NYPD Blue”, “The West Wing”), SHAREEKA EPPS (Half Nelson) and SAMUEL L. JACKSON) and shot in a naturalistic way by writer-director RODRIGO GARCIA (who has mostly made some great American TV including ”Carnivale”, “Six Feet Under” and “In Treatment”) the story unfolds gently, not without a few flaws, but with a lot to like as well.
If you’re a mother or a child, you’re probably already living out at least a portion of one of the stories of these women, but the particular slice of movie-goers that it is directly appealing to should find it directly appealing.
