So sind wir, so ist das Leben

As in literally - especially if you are the (lone) mother of 5 children/kids ... so no pun intended of course. The movie is able to depict and show us the struggle the mother and the kids have to go through. What a powerhouse central performance. I knew she is a great actress, but this goes ahead and shows it with full force.

The interactions and the dialog work like a charm. Just the way we get introduced to everyone ... amazing. While we do get glimpses of the kids (and they are not all alright, but don't play the blame game), the main focus remains the mother. I don't recall the father being brought up too many times. He is mentioned and the kids do want to have him in their life (some of them), but he is a side case ... he exists, but that is about it.

And it is good that the movie does not open up a new topic ... a new battlefield if you want to call it that. Great little movie that could ... and did ... if you like drama that feels (and is) real ... well what are you waiting for?