[7.75/10] Mother and Child (2010)

Mother and Child (2010)

"Mother and Child" tells the story of three women's lives that share a common core - they have all been profoundly affected by adoption. Karen had a baby at 14, gave her up at birth, and has been haunted ever since by the daughter she never knew. Elizabeth, Naomi Watts grew up as an adopted child; she's a bright and ambitious lawyer, but a flinty loner in her personal life. Lucy is just embarking with her husband on the adoption odyssey, looking for a baby to become their own. Alejandro González Iñárritu is one of the producers of this beautifully-crafted drama and it certainly shows. "Mother and Child"'s style of storytelling is very, very Iñárritu-like. Even Rodrigo García's direction reminds a lot of the way the super-talented Alejandro González Iñárritu directs. In fact, the entire film has his style written all over it and the end result is nearly amzaing. The multiple stories are blend together very effectively, and Rodrigo García's ability in creating complex characters is more than obvious. This is a hugely engrossing film, that examines many facets of the emotional experience of giving up or not giving up a a new born for adoption as well as the long term impact on mother and child when the two do separate. "Mother and Child" has an absolutely brilliant cast, headed by the very talented Naomi Watts, the marvellous Annette Benning, and the one and only Samuel L. Jackson, and also features impressive supporting performances by Cherry Jones as the good-hearted nun, Kerry Washington as the young black woman desperately wanting to adopt a baby, and Jimmy Smits as Paco - a kind, gentle, subtle and very charming man, who's looking for real love. And every single one of them does an outstanding job and they all deliver exceptionally good performances. Technically, this film is just as great, offering some great camera shots, excellent editing, good pacing and nice visuals. Overall, "Mother and Child" is a deep and rich in emotions story, filled with powerhouse performances and memorable characters, that works on almost every level.