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June 10, 2015
The "savior of cinema" depicts the deep love and conflict between a mother and son in the human drama "Mommy."
A Human Drama About a Mother and Son's Deep Love and Conflict, by Cinema's Savior
Xavier Dolan's Latest: Mommy
Xavier Dolan, a director hailed as "cinema's savior" and renowned for his genius, presents "Mommy," a human drama exploring the profound love and conflict between a mother and her son. The film opens April 25th (Saturday) at Shinjuku Musashinokan, Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, and other theaters nationwide.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
A Unique Visual Style That Shifts with the Characters' Psyches
Director Xavier Dolan
Xavier Dolan burst onto the film scene with "I Killed My Mother" and "Heartbeats," establishing himself as a generational talent. His latest work, "Mommy," returns to the mother-son dynamic that formed the core of his debut.
Shared the Jury Prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival with the legendary Jean-Luc GodardThe film garnered global acclaim, reaffirming the prowess of Dolan, once dubbed "l'enfant terrible" (the terrible child).
His talent is evident throughout the film, most notably in its distinctive visual style. The frame is predominantly presented in a square aspect ratio, which expands into a rectangle to reflect the protagonist's emotional state. The use of slow motion and the precise framing between the camera and the characters draw the viewer into the characters' perspectives and feelings.
Antoine-Olivier Pilon delivers a sensitive and powerful performance as Steve, the protagonist with ADHD. Anne Dorval, who also appeared in "I Killed My Mother," plays the mother, while Suzanne Clément portrays a reclusive high school teacher who enters their lives. While the cast is the same as in "I Killed My Mother," Dolan's genius lies in crafting a drama with a completely different tone.
A Reclusive High School Teacher Appears
In 2015, Canada, a fictional nation, sees the establishment of a new government. The cabinet passes Bill S18, aimed at reforming public healthcare policy. A particularly controversial aspect is the law's provision allowing parents of children with developmental disabilities to relinquish parental rights without legal proceedings and admit them to institutions if they face financial hardship or personal crisis.
Diane, a single mother working as a cleaner, struggles to make ends meet. Her 15-year-old son, Steve, is usually gentle and well-behaved, but has ADHD, and his behavior can become aggressive and unmanageable.
Diane begins living with Steve after his release from a correctional facility. Their lives seem to take a turn for the better when Kyla, a reclusive high school teacher, enters their lives...
The universal themes of a mother and son's deep love and conflict, brought to life with vibrant colors, resonate deeply. The emotional depth, born from Dolan's unique blend of youth and maturity, stirs the soul of the viewer.
Mommy
Opening April 25th (Saturday) at Shinjuku Musashinokan, Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, and other theaters nationwide.
Director | Xavier Dolan
Starring | Anne Dorval, Suzanne Clément, Antoine-Olivier Pilon
Distribution | Pictures Dept.
2014 / Canada / 138 min
http://mommy-xdolan.jp
Photo credit : Shayne Laverdière / © 2014 une filiale de Metafilms inc.