by John Villeneuve
Generally, it is difficult to surmise what the academy voters will choose amongst the foreign films submitted to them, because, more often than not, they pick films without controversy, without edge, and without balls. In other words, movies which are not critically acclaimed, but films they can cuddle up to. But, I am willing to bet that they will pick Mother this year, if for only the fact that almost half of the voters are women, and, consequently, this group will be able to relate to a woman who would, and does, consider the unimaginable to defend her child. Furthermore, I am speculating, perhaps wrongly, that they know that Korea has never been nominated—-shameful considering the predominance of auteurs like Park Chan-wook (Oldboy), Kim Ki-duk (3-Iron) and Hong Sang-soo (Woman on the Beach). But mostly, probably naively, I am counting on their knowledge of Bong Joon-ho (Barking Dogs Never Bite, The Host) who has yet to make a middling movie, and who’s new film, Mother, can stand proudly beside his masterful, Memories of Murder.
The film opens with a woman in her mid 50’s strolling, almost meandering, through a hilltop grassy field, seemingly in thought. Then she stops, gazes directly into the camera and begins performing a beguiling, sensuous dance, filled with sorrow, rage and joy, as though she were having an epiphany of which we are not yet cognizant. Meet Kim Hye-ja, the actress playing the mother in question. This opening grabs like a tentacle, and as the film jolts forward, we are introduced to a character who runs the gamut of supposed female contradiction.
A performance that can best be described as acrobatic, Kim Hye-ja is as equally comfortable (and believable) playing demure fragility, as she is miming the serpentine seductress who is coy, conniving and brutal when need be. The story of Mother is deceptively simple: a woman’s son is, presumably, falsely accused and arrested for the brutal murder of a teen-aged school-girl, and, therefore, mother sets out to prove his innocence, ingratiating herself into the most unlikeliest of places. But the story becomes much more psychologically complex and off putting. For example, mother and son have quite an unorthodox relationship. They sleep together in the same bed (seemingly innocent, yet still disconcerting). Moreover, mother practices herbal medicine on her son, which requires her to watch him relieve himself in order to analyze his urine.
The son, who his friends refer to as “special”, is mentally challenged, a dullard and a drunk, easily susceptible to suggestion. And when he is accused of murder, the mother turns into a type of amateur sleuth (a deranged Miss Marple, is more like it). To tell more of the plot would be a disservice, because the pleasure is in watching this part-time herbalist/acupuncturist mother turn to unhinged matriarch, calculatedly searching for her own desired outcome. Needless to say, this is an incredibly complicated role, full of contradictions and psychological tight-rope walking. Kim Hye-ja shuttles between ineffectual and doting mother, to vulnerable, yet, wily, semi-investigator, to the ferocious mouse that roars, baring not claws, but acupuncture needles, who will stop at nothing to protect her son. It is a remarkable performance.
Much like Memories of Murder, Mother, too, is saturated with droll and wry humor. Early on, there is a sequence in which the mother attends the funeral of the girl her son is charged with killing, and what transpires is hilarious and heart-breaking at the same time. However, thematically, Joon-ho’s film owes more to De Sica’s, The Bicycle Thief, than to your standard murder mystery, because the more mother searches for information that will absolve her son, the clearer it becomes that we are witnessing an entire town on the brink of moral collapse.
But, ultimately, the success of the film lies on the shoulders of its actress, Kim Hye-ja. I am told that in all her previous South Korean films she has been an icon of sensibility and motherly saintliness. What a shock it must have been for Koreans to see the facade shatter, because, here, she is a crackerjack of mixed personas, like an arsenic candy, reminding one that “hell hath no fury…”, well, you know the rest. When a foreign performance like this comes around one wishes there were an additional category, at Oscar time, for the 5 best international performances (male or female), because the likelihood of a nomination, here, is decidedly nil.
Nevertheless, this damning portrait of small-town existence is devastatingly universal. With great cinematography in cyan tones, and a score that simultaneously slithers and soothes, Mother is a wonderfully eccentric, absurd and gripping film that splutters and disarms, while reminding us that under every rock lies more than we can take, and more than we want to know. And, it is for these reasons, I believe, Mother will be honored with a nomination. Of course, unti then, my fingers will remain crossed.
30 Responses for "Will Mother Make It?"
well, with same logic, i predict they will go for argentina’s the secret in their eyes.
This reminds me of a great song by Pink Floyd…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX3uCuFKlqw
I’ll have a chance to see Mother tomorrow, and then I’ll have an opinion.
For now, I’ll just say Jodie Foster will be brilliant in the remake. If there is one.
(Better than Tyler Perry. Madeo Goes to Jail.)
Jodie Foster would definitely be an inspired choice. She is one of the few who could pull this part off.
I haven’t seen “Mother” yet, but I’d love for the Academy to recognize a Korean film with a nom. Korean artists have produced so many outstanding films during the past couple of decades. It’s about damn time.
And “The Host” rocked.
I loved “Mother.” Debbie Reynolds and Al Brooks were just such a blast together, I couldn’t stop laughing to catch my breath. Their banter is the sort of wry, silly but not stupid humor that hits my funny bone just right.
Oh, wait…
What’s funnier is that I could actually see Debbie Reynolds playing this.
What about “Mother and Child”? What the heck is going on with that?
Not sure what you mean Mike ?
“What’s funnier is that I could actually see Debbie Reynolds playing this.”
Better yet, Shirley MacLaine playing Debbie Reynolds playing Mother.
And George W. as the dimwitted son.
Czech foreign language nominee Protector has just won awards from Colorado or something like that.
Thanks for profiling Korean movies! The country has been producing some remarkable and genre-defying movie in the past few years. I would say if there IS an international performance category, Korea would have two great candidates already. The actresses in Mother and Thirst would rank as the top 5 for sure. Also, I hope people remember the Korean movie Secret Sunshine. The actress portraying a mother in grief is one of the most stunning performances of motherhood.
I’ve been championing Korean films for a long time now, Marshall. I loved the insanity of Thirst, and Do-yeon Jeon is heart-breaking and superb in Secret Sunshine.
Love the blood-spilling spree of Thirst. Unnatural Born Killers. And I agree Marshall1, Ok-vin Kim was an unexpected pleasure to watch. Really the movie belongs to her, I think.
Have watched the first half of Mother, and it looks like it’s trying to get into my Top 10 of 2009. Too sleepy to see it through to the end right now, but wow. Who’s Framing Gilbert Grape?
just finished watching it 8/10 thought it was really solid film. was able to handle suspense and humour aspects in a wild and awesome way. yah i really like it, and no thanks to the international actor category, Hye-ja Kim derserves a best actress nomination, fair and square. at least from what i’ve seen so far.
Mother will be in my Top 10 (and, most likely, in my Top 5). It is masterfully directed, and every scene is a wonderment. It is a no chaff beauty.
It reminds me very much of Kurosawa’s early psychological cop thrillers. Stray Dog, Drunken Angel. Even High And Low.
In a more perfect world. we’d be talking about Meryl Streep vs. Hye-ja Kim vs. Carey Mulligan jostling for frontrunner position.
“…every scene is a wonderment.”
From the very first shot, you know you’re about to witness something quite sublime.
Though I am generally against Hollywood remakes of foreign films, Ryan, now that you have mentioned Streep, my mind is racing with the dimensions she could bring to the table. That is a movie I would love to see her win her third Oscar for.
Actually Kim Hye-ja is 68 years old.
It’s a really solid film. one of my favorites this year. Kim Hye-ja played Sister Aloysius before, I think she was better than Meryl Streep. Streep was very good too though.
Kim Hye-ja as Sister Aloysius.
http://i46.tinypic.com/htzlp3.jpg
I’ve seen Mother, and it’s a solid film, but I think it’s a little “weird” for the academy committee. I’m agree with “a”: The secret of their eyes it’s more conventional -still great- and probably has more chance for a nom. I’m also with “Samson and Delillah” (the only 3 foreign films that i’ve seen), but i’ve my doubts…
Haven’t seen Mother as yet, but South Korean filmmakers have been making great movies. Park and Bong are awesome.
Is there a release date on this?
Great film, great script, superb lead actress. It’s #6 in my top ten right now.
If I had to point out some flaws, there’s a slower part in the middle (I don’t remember exactly) that makes me feel the movie is a bit long.
i don’t know a lot about foreign films in the oscars but i never seen a chinese or a korean film nominated for an oscar.
korean films are so dark and edgy i love those films.
ps i’m half korean
Hey John,
Any other Korean movies you can recommend? (The good ones!)
The only movie I don’t like is Park’s middle installment of his revenge trilogy. Will try to watch Cyborg with rain, probably much better than Ninja Assassin..lol
The most enjoyable is probably Oldboy, so exhilirating the first time I saw it. I also like the gay-themed No Regret as well, very well acted.
Marshall1, I highly recommend Hong-jin Na’s Chaser. It’s the Korean Silence of the Lambs, only less cuddly.
@ Marshall
Kim ki-duk is pretty reliable. His best, according to me, are:
The Isle (Seom)
3-Iron (Bin-jip)
Sring, Summer, Autumn, Winter…and Spring
Time (Shi gan)
Definitely see Memories of Murder
I like all of the films by Hong Sang-soo.
Black House is a relentless horror film.
And some others off the top of my head:
Spider Forest
The President’s Last Bang
This Charming Girl
The Quiet Family
Mokdugi Video
R-Point
Save the Green Planet
A Tale of Two Sisters
Happy End
The Uninvited
Oasis
Three
Camel(s)
Road Movie
Flower Island
JSA, Joint Security Area
Barking Dogs Never Bite
301, 302
Eureka (I’m cheating here, this is the 4 hour masterpiece by Japanese director, Shinji Aoyama)
Really enjoyed this – another brilliant film from Joon-ho Bong.
That said, I’m still quietly cheering Samson & Delilah for the win…
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