“The Mother” combines action with a passionate story about the bond between women

As a tribute to Mother’s Day, the film “The Mother” beautifully portrays mothers’ immense sacrifices to ensure their children’s safety. It highlights the selflessness of mothers willing to be absent from their children’s lives if it means keeping them safe.

In “The Mother”, Jennifer Lopez delivers a remarkable performance that showcases her versatility as an actress. This emotional drama delves into the complexities of motherhood, and Lopez’s portrayal of the lead character adds depth and authenticity to the film.

“The Mother” effectively establishes its setting, showcasing the impressive skills of both the protagonist and her adversaries. This sets the stage for an intriguing scenario in which the weight of SAIC Eleanor Williams‘ (Edie Falco) impossible choice becomes evident.

It also foreshadows the 12-year jump, allowing viewers to anticipate the consequences for a now grown-up Zoe (Lucy Paez). The film effectively portrays the lengths the mother is willing to go to protect her daughter, adding depth to her character and driving the narrative forward.

The Mother’s Plot

Jennifer Lopez portrays The Mother, a former soldier who excels in her military role but struggles to adapt to civilian life. Despite her exceptional skills, she finds herself limited to working as a local cashier upon her return from Iraq and Afghanistan. This poignant depiction highlights the challenges veterans face transitioning from the world of war to everyday civilian existence.

She chooses a morally ambiguous path by collaborating with arms dealers Hector Álvarez (Gael García Bernal) and Adrian Lovell (Joseph Fiennes). However, as she becomes deeply involved in their world, she discovers a line she refuses to cross. Determined to do what’s right, she becomes an informant for the FBI, working to dismantle the arms dealers’ operations.

Of course, that doesn’t sit well with her former colleagues, who try to silence her instead. After murdering half of the FBI agents at the safe house she was trying to strike the deal, she and her handler William Cruise (Omari Hardwick), barely escape.

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In a gripping turn of events, Jennifer Lopez’s character inflicts significant harm on Adrian Lovell, but not without sustaining injuries herself. Unexpectedly, it is revealed that she was pregnant all along, cleverly concealed by adept camera work until the pivotal moment. As she confers with her new FBI handler, portrayed by Edie Falco, the unsettling news emerges that Adrian has survived. Faced with the harsh reality, the only way to ensure her baby’s safety is to give them up for adoption and disappear from the grid entirely.

Through twists and turns, The Mother has the titular character come face to face with Zoe and become her guardian as they are now on the run from her assailants.

What we think

“The Mother” follows a familiar narrative structure reminiscent of similar stories we’ve encountered before.

While there are hints at deeper issues, the film struggles to delve beneath the surface, leaving some unexplored potential.

The movie feels stretched in certain areas, resulting in moments that drag and hinder the overall flow. One notable aspect is the presence of two primary antagonists, which doesn’t feel adequately justified within the story’s scope. Additionally, some dialogue choices throughout the film are perplexing and sometimes leave viewers puzzled.

The Mother’s parenting approach falls short of being nurturing or emotionally connected. Instead, she treats her daughter, Zoe, as if she were a child soldier, teaching her self-defence skills without showing genuine interest in building a bond.

This proves frustrating for the character and the audience, as the mother’s desire to connect with Zoe seems nonexistent despite wanting it for the past 12 years. Knowing that Zoe has her adoptive mother, the mother keeps her daughter at a distance, disregarding Zoe’s longing to learn about her origins and form a meaningful connection.

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What we like;

We liked the rapport between Zoe and The Mother, especially in the film’s back half. It is a strength that Zoe is not written to be stupid like many characters in her position.

Yes, she is still twelve, scared, and inexperienced, but she is also profoundly perceptive. Also, her issues come from her lack of experience or not being informed rather than being petulant. Jennifer Lopez and Lucy Paez play the heck out of those roles, and they help elevate some of the more lacklustre parts of the narrative.

“The Mother” transforms from an action-driven melodrama into a heartfelt tale of female bonding, achieving its intended goal with remarkable effort.

While the story possesses elements of a modern fairy tale, the strength of the characters and the film’s serious yet dynamic energy keep the audience engaged and continuously curious about its ultimate destination.

See or skip?

You should see “The Mother”. It is pretty impactful, and it keeps the audience in their seats with the action