Ma mère

As I watched the movie, I felt (probably like many others) somehow shocked by the powerful and explicit images. Yet it can't be said that this is merely done to make a controversial film. The viewer gets a slowly developing picture of the relationship between mother and son, or more correctly of the adaptation of mother's lifestyle by her son. Finally everybody is invited to morally judge the relations, actions and sayings of the main characters. But as most viewers are likely to enjoy the "forbidden" relationships or explicit scenes, who are we to give criticism? This film puts a whole new dimension in the concept of what is normal, allowed or understood as morally acceptable. It's sometimes almost revolting, and yet when you've seen the story-lines that led to these scenes, you may find the actions acceptable (or maybe I've a twisted mind). I would like to call the attention to the beautifully chosen soundtrack and the abrupt ending, which leaves the viewer a little bit disturbed.

European cinema at its best! Producer Paulo Branco has been producing some of the best films and best directors in Europe and this is one of the latest ones. Absolutely amazing, in depicting obsession, incest, dysfunction, love, selfishness, acceptation, pain... It's particularly brilliant how time and space is (not) presented.

The ending is terrific and the perfect conclusion to the story. Absolutely superb, a film I think only French could have the audacity to do... I hope European Cinema gets more protection so that we can keep watching these master pieces, otherwise we'll just have to stay dumb watching the main pop corn stream...

Ma Mère vs Youporn (or any other of more than a 100 porn channels) looses 0 to 100. All other porn channels have 1. Steady cameras 2. Focused 3. MUCH prettier females 4. Apparently masculine males 5. MORE stimulating scenes 6. They are shorter 7. Last but not least, they have more interesting dialogues.

My rate is -273. Absolute zero.

Isabelle Huppert is one of the greatest and boldest actresses there is, unafraid of any role she's given. Unfortunately that sometimes means she's given parts that are, quite frankly, beneath her. Her role in Christophe Honore's screen version of Georges Bataille's novel "Ma Mere" is one of them. She plays a hedonistic woman who, after the death of her husband, initiates her adoring young son in her lifestyle. She attacks the part gamely enough as does a frequently nude young Louis Garrel as the son but the film is mostly unpleasant and shallow. It's like a porn movie with the pretensions of seriousness, as if all sex is just a cover for something more profound rather than as an end in itself. Ultimately it reminded of seventies Europorn and it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth.

Despite having heard that this movie had some pretty controversial sexual content, I walked into the theater not expecting to be that shocked by anything I would see. Much to my surprise and pleasure, I found myself squirming uncomfortably along with the rest of the audience. Call me a masochist if you must. But this film is worth much more than just its shock value. The synthesis of the cinematography, music, and landscape was so beautiful and on point, I felt fortunate to discover myself months later often to be reflecting on it. The cast also gets highmarks, not just for their acting, but also their tre sexy bodies. Ma mere is a crazy movie, but by the time the creditss came on, I felt I had the post orgasm exhaustion for myself.

Ma mere definitely gets thumbs up. On a side note, I discovered the hard way that it makes a terrible first-date movie. I'd also suggest avoid seeing it with your family.