Mommy Film

Mommy Film
Xavier Dolan - director See profile
Supporting actors Suzanne Clément Producers Xavier Dolan , Nancy Grant Studio Roadside Attractions Rating R (Restricted) Purchase rights Stream instantly Details Format Prime Video (streaming online video) Devices Available to watch on supported devices
Christina Reynolds Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021
Mommy is a 2014 Canadian drama film written, produced, directed and edited by Xavier Dolan and starring Anne Dorval, Antoine Olivier Pilon, and Suzanne Clément. The story concerns a mother(Diane) with a sometimes-violent teenage son(Steve) that has been previously diagnosed with ADHD. On the surface ‘Mommy’ seems to exclusively focus on the relationship between a mother and her son (A common thread in much of Dolan’s work); After some unpacking, however, it is clear that a larger sociological context is also being taken into consideration. ‘Mommy’ Introduces itself by making the audience aware of a new (and controversial) law that has been put into place that allows parents to commit a child to a psychiatric hospital without additional legal review. This is crucial information to have from the beginning because this law lends to discussions and questions regarding mentally ill juveniles and their fundamental rights (not to mention, any person that this pertains to). These rights have historically been established as a way of formally making a decision about how people like Stetven should be reprimanded as need be, but more importantly is a way of making these in a way that is mostly void of personal biases that care-takers are naturally going to have in the first place. On one hand this acts as suspense in that everybody is fully aware that Diane has the ability at any moment to commit Steve at the drop of a hat (and, will this ever happen?). On the other -and, perhaps even more significantly - this illustrates Diane as being opposed to what some might call a “quick-fix ideology” and has some staggering real-world applications. Films that choose to include characters that are diagnosed with a mental illness with violent tendencies have a very thin line to walk on that they must be aware of at all time; failure to do so creeps into territory that villainize people in this population and perpetuates stereotypes that fuel the stigma most commonly associated with them. The complexity of Pilon in both his behaviors and appearance do well to make his character a naturally well-rounded individual. It is clear over time that Steve is hyperactive, disparaging, and has serious boundary Issues that actively affect the meaningful relationships he is capable of making with other people. This is a sharp contrast to the moments where his ability to be charming and kind slowly drifts to the shore and tactfully challenges the temptation to polarize him as being either simply a “good” or a “bad” person regardless of their experience with people just like him. As someone that has seen people this pertains to constantly being metaphorically shoved inside boxes that don’t graciously validate their intricacies I have only one thing to say to Dolan: #Thankyouverymuch. Speaking of boxes, Dolan also uses a rather unorthodox method to invite active engagement with its audience members. ‘Mommy’ stays committed to being shown in an aspect ratio of 1:1 and consequently makes emotionally intense scenes uncomfortably palpable. This works as a physical representation of Diane’s limited prospects and Is a painful squeezing for those with particular sensitivities to the overarching situation and its enclosed subject matter. Opportunities to feed the audience morsels of hope are shot in a more typical fashion (as being full-screen) and act symbolically like a breath of fresh air coming through a window that takes time, energy, and an immeasurable amount of resources to open. This particular creative choice in addition to the tumultuous relationship between Diane and her son makes ‘Mommy’ what it should be: a claustrophobic kaleidoscope of codependency and chaos. Incoming anecdote ahead - In short’ Mommy’ absolutely broke me in ways that other films typically do not. It is easy to label Diane as being naïve or in denial about Steve’s condition, but it does well to remind ourselves that she is actively dealing with grief and struggling with her role as a parent with a mentally ill child. This leads her to making choices that are outstandingly difficult for her to justify (at least, to herself) and subsequently puts Steve in a position that he ultimately can’t make sense of in that moment. I don’t have a lot of memories that are crystal clear, but I do have one that stays embedded in the farthest corner of my brain. When I was 9 my biological mother was diagnosed with a menagerie of mental health related diagnosis, and soon after moved away from my family for what felt like no reason at the time; I remember running after the car she was in and begging her not to leave with tears and snot dribbling down to my chin. This has resulted in me previously having a lot of anger and animosity towards her which I can now attribute to a large amount of confusion and anxiety related to a lack of awareness about a situation I was incapable of coping with at the time. Steve may have been the mentally ill character, but I connect with him on a level I just can’t begin to logically put into words. For me ‘Mommy’ isn’t simply a movie about a mother coming to terms with the reality of her situation, but is instead a representation of the hardships that come with forgiveness and reconciliation when the possibility of receiving an apology or closure is highly unlikely in the first place. I used to endlessly daydream about the moment my mother would say ‘sorry’ for all of the things she made me feel, and for the better part of what is almost 15 years I avoided having an inkling of a relationship with her because of it. It has continued to grow over the last year and some change and has puts things in a better perspective for me. I never needed the apology. I just needed the closure. And I hope Diane, despite being a completely fictional character, can hypothetically eventually have the ability to know what getting to that point feels like. She deserves it. I would recommend.
Tiffany Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2022
My daughter picked this movie out for us to watch. At 1st I wasn't wanting to have to read subtitles but I was so engrossed and engaged with this movie from start to finish. It even had me crying because I can relate to this mother and the situations that she had to deal with with her seriously behaviorally challenged child that she loves very much.
LG Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017
The only Dolan film I had seen previously to this was Tom At The Farm which I preferred over this. For as good as the acting and film making was, Mommy just didn't draw me in the same way and never felt truly invested in the characters. I love Dolan's use of slow motion and music which creates some interesting breaks but at the end of the day there just isn't enough depth to the characters and the story seems kind of superficial though I cannot really point to why. Tom at The Farm had a mood and feeling to it that Mommy failed to capture. Throughout Tom I was continually questioning character motives and choices but not with Mommy. This is not a review for Tom however that film set my expectations for this one I will continue to dive into Dolan's films despite being slightly disappointed with this one. The aspect ratio that was used most of the film for some reason didn't impact me. I didn't feel trapped or closed in like it is apparently supposed to convey but kept questioning whether the format was intentional or not. I realized it was intentional when the format changed to a standard version for a short segment of the film then returned to it's original version. That tool had no impact on my experience other than noticing it which is something that took my attention away from the story. Overall it is a good movie with some highlights that draw true emotion however they seem few and far between. Sorry, not much of a reviewer but thought I would post my impressions.
Russell S Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2015
Xavier Dolan is fast becoming one of my very favorite writer/directors. I am not exaggerating that statement. He is gritty and he is real and his actors give him all they have to do his movies. I thought that "tom at the farm" was disturbing. I loved that and I loved this movie too. French-Canadian film, yes, subtitles, about a Mom with a troubled child. she has him in some kind of juvy hall, they force him out and she has to take him back. He set a fire that hurt someone. Mostly a 3 person story and those 3 persons are Wonderful. Anne Dorval as Mommy (Die or Diane) Suzanne Clement as the neighbor who tutors and tries to help and the outstanding Antoine Olivier Pilon as Steve the problem son, he is amazing. You feel for all of the people involved and who are trying to make a life against all odds. Keep in mind this is Canada and they have laws that we don't have.
Krista Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2021
This movie made me uncomfortable. But it made me feel. End was a bit dragged but then made sense. This was art . Just didn’t like the upset feelings I had with some subjects/scenes
Botanique Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2015
Intense is the word that comes to mind. Sadly, if your ear is not accustomed to the intonation and machine gun output of basilectal Québecois, you will miss much of the nuance as the english subtitles are at best an approximation of what is being said. There is a lot going on here and the emotions expressed are complex. Xavier Dolan has guts and talent, he could well be this generations Orson Welles. Time will tell, but this film is a no holds barred take on a subject too often given a PG treatment.
Emma E. Emerson, NYC Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2021
A must watch film. I do not want to give the plot or anything away, so or I will repeat. A must-watch. Great acting.
Pow Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021
Don’t care. Watch it! Great movie so much emotion evoked in a different language and not many words said.

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A peculiar neighbor (Suzanne Clément) offers hope to a recent widow (Anne Dorval) who is struggling to raise a teenager (Antoine-Olivier Pilon) who is unpredictable and, sometimes, violent.

R (Sexual References|Language Throughout|Some Violence)

Xavier Dolan ,

Nancy Grant

Xavier Dolan ,

Xavier Dolan

Anne Dorval

Diane "Die" Després

Antoine-Olivier Pilon

Steve Després

My Kinky Family Xxx
Black Hairy Pussy Licking
T Free Porn

Mommy Film

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