Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark Korean dramedy has violence, sex, and swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mother
What's the Story?
MOTHER follows a mother's (Kim Hye-ja) attempts to free her son, Yoon Do-joon (Won Bin) from jail in a small town in South Korea, after he is accused of murdering a local schoolgirl. Her disappointment and frustration with how poorly the authorities handle her son's case drives her to take increasingly desperate measures to free him.
Is It Any Good?
Much like writer and director Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning Parasite, this film is an unflinching satire of South Korea's failing institutions. Mother (or Madeo to give it its original title) also examines how disempowered people often resort to tactics that cross moral and legal lines. Skilfully shot with rich cinematography, it wastes no time drawing the viewer into the characters' world. Their frustrations form both the moral center and the emotional core of the movie.
However, the first hour is both slow and light on plot, which makes for a frustrating viewing. That it leans heavily on the broad comic performances that undercut several of Bong's movies results in a heavy-handed portrayal of the problems vulnerable people face in their everyday lives, too. The ending is stark and memorable, but overall this is an uneven watch, most likely to be enjoyed only by Bong's most dedicated fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Mother. How did it affect you? Is it meant to be shocking or thrilling? What's the difference? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How is sex depicted in the movie? What values are imparted?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Does it seem necessary or excessive? What does it contribute to the movie? Did the subtitles make a difference to the impact of the language?
Discuss the movie's portrayal of learning disabilities. How is the character of Yoon Do-joon treated by people? What more could have been done to help him when he is accused of murder?
Talk about the mobile phones and handheld recording devices used in the movie. How is tech different today, and how would smartphones likely have changed the course of the movie's criminal investigation?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 28, 2009
- Cast : Kim Hye-ja , Won Bin , Jin Goo
- Director : Bong Joon Ho
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Korean Movie Director(s)
- Studio : CJ Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 129 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some sexual content, violence and drug use
- Last updated : August 3, 2022
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