Mommy

Name: Mommy
Item: Mommy
Rating: 4
Author: Renee Schonfeld

Movie review by

Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 17+

(i)

Intense tale of unstable teen full of profanity, violence.

R
2015
139 minutes

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Mommy

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Positive Messages

Sadly illustrates the lack of solutions or services for severely mentally challenged children or teens and their parents. Shows fear as a driving force behind violent behavior. Portrays the fragile nature of a parent-child relationship that strives for boundaries, respect, and well-being in the face of insurmountable difficulties. Reinforces adage "Loving people doesn't save them; love is not enough."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Central parent is complex: She loves her son, fears him, hates him, blames him, and displays an overwhelming inability to cope with his behavior. Son is confrontational and violent but often reveals his underlying vulnerability and terrifying inability to control his impulses. A good-hearted neighbor, struggling with her own emotional issues, tries to help Diane and Steve. Medical and institutional personnel have no answers for the family.

Violence

Mood of film implies underlying violence that may erupt at any moment and often does. Uncontrollable impulses in many sequences show enraged teen choking, pushing his mom; menacing, assaulting, chasing, and threatening others. Violent scenes: a car accident, a ferocious struggle between boy and three men, a bar fight in which boy wields a broken bottle, and (spoiler alert) the bloody results of an attempted suicide.

Sex

Implied masturbation when a mother surprises her son in his bedroom. Fifteen-year-old boy frequently uses his sexuality to intimidate the two adult women in his life, including his mother. Clearly without boundaries, he leers seductively and makes teasing sexual advances toward both of them, going so far as to poke at and touch a neighbor's breasts. The mom is shown using her sexuality as a means of getting her needs met. Some couples engage in sensual behavior in a karaoke club.

Language

Swearing, obscenities, and name-calling from top to bottom. Countless uses of "f--k" (in all forms), "s--t," "ass," "d--k," "t-ts," "schlong," "beat off," "p---y," "bitch," and "faggot." One scene includes racial slurs, including the "N" word. Mother screams insults at her son: "idiot," "jerk-off," "queen," "a--hole," "dumbass," "dimwit," "little s--t."

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Drinking, some drunkenness, including mother allowing son to consume wine. Mother appears to use alcohol as a means of coping with her problems: laces coffee with it, drinks openly and often. Smoking throughout.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Mommy is an intense, heart-rending depiction of the relationship between a widowed mom and her severely challenged young teen son, diagnosed with ADHD and an attachment disorder. A French-language film with English subtitles, the story takes place in Quebec. Profanity is rampant from beginning to end. Countless use of obscenities such as "f--k," "d--k," and "c--ksucker" is augmented by endless bouts of name-calling and swearing ("bitch," "s--thead, "dimwit," "idiot," "faggot," "jerk-off," and the "N" word). Underlying the story is a constant sense of impending violence and/or sexual menacing which could, and often does, erupt uncontrollably. Steve threatens, attacks, chokes, and fights with a number of men and women (including his mom) who either are trying to subdue him or are angrily reacting to his antisocial behavior. Characters smoke and drink throughout, sometimes to excess. (Spoiler alert: One sequence shows the bloody aftermath of a suicide attempt.) A disturbing but humanizing look at tragic circumstances for which there are no easy answers, this film is for mature teens and adults only. Mommy received the Cannes Festival Jury Prize in 2014, as well as many other international awards.

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What's the story?

MOMMY explores the volatile relationship between an erratic 15-year-old boy and his brash mom who loves him but is ill-equipped to deal with his behavior. Steve (played with integrity and ferocity by Antoine Olivier Pilon) has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) as well as an attachment disorder, which together result in violent outbursts, uncontrollable rages, barely hidden sexual urges, and a continual desire for attention and confrontation. His widowed mother, Diane (the gifted, brave Anne Dorval), is forced to bring Steve home to live with her after a series of social service agencies and schools have thrown up their hands; his last offense was setting fire in the cafeteria, severely burning a classmate. Though without financial resources, a job, or the support of friends or family, Diane steels herself for the task, holding out faint hope for change and stability. An unexpected friendship with a fragile neighbor (Suzanne Clement) provides some respite. Both women see a spark of intelligence, charm, and a loving nature beneath Steve's outrageous behavior. But it's an uphill battle, worsened when Diane is sued by the family of the burned boy, sending the overwhelmed mother into attack mode and further endangering her broken son.

Is it any good?

Visually stunning scenes, courageous performances, a talented director with a gift for joining music with story, and a heart-rending, tragic dilemma combine to make this an unforgettable movie. The strong language, angry outbursts, sexual undercurrents, and emotional anguish will and should keep young audiences away. There's no escapism here, only brilliantly constructed and realized truth, which raises complicated and unanswerable questions. For very mature teens only and best when watched with sensitive adults.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how music enhances this story. What does the music tell you about Steve? About Diane? How does music enable these two people to communicate with one another?
The film was purposefully projected in a square format, not usual in contemporary films. Did you notice that occasionally the film widened out for a particular sequence? What was the filmmaker hoping to convey to his audience by using each of these techniques? For movie buffs, look up the film term "aspect ratio."
How did the constant use of obscenities and swearing affect your viewing? Was it shocking at first? Did it become more acceptable as the film continued? How did Steve's use of such language help define his emotions?