While she is certainly no Mommy Dearest, the mother presented in Joon-Ho Bong’s “Mother” is just as terrifying a force to be reckoned with. Winner of nine international awards, “Mother” shows the drastic measures a woman will go to for her son. Through the combination of realistic cinematography, music and acting, “Mother” successfully pulls off the storyline as if it were presently occurring rather than being watched on a screen, making this film an interesting experiment for the eyes.
“Mother” details the harrowing journey of a woman on a mission. Making a living through selling herbs and performing back alley acupuncture, Mother is a woman whose life clearly revolves around her son, Yoon Do-Joon. A slightly handicapped man, Yoon Do-Joon gets himself into a plethora of trouble, normally stemming from his reaction to being called names or the shenanigans of his one friend, Jin-tae.
The trouble these two men get into is nothing compared to when a young girl is murdered and Yoon Do-Joon arrested. Signing a confession without reading it first, Yoon Do-Joon is incarcerated for a crime he either did not commit or does not remember. Tired of the police’s failings, Mother sets out seeking her own justice, starting a full-scale investigation.
The pacing of “Mother” is anything but quick. This choice lets the story unfold in its own time, at a slower pace than most American audiences may be used to. However, this works for “Mother,” as the tension steadily increases in time with the mother’s path to finding out the truth. Nothing is lost in translation in this Korean film, as each twist of the plot is revealed at an appropriate and logical time.
Relying more on visual simplicity, “Mother’s” cinematography brings an added dimension of reality to the plot. The entire movie is shot in a basic manner characterized by wide shots and close-ups. This serves to present the scene at hand as is, without the fancy angles and minus the special effects. The style brings beauty to the otherwise gritty film as it forces audiences to hone in on the acting or image of a specific scene.
The musical score is used sparingly and to dramatic effect. Most of the film focuses on silence, complete with loud sound effects at inopportune moments. These sounds work well to heighten the already tense plot. When the score does come in, it paints the scene with power — whether that power is attributed to a groundbreaking epiphany or heart wrenching depression.
Carrying on with the minimalist trend, the acting in “Mother” is also understated. Hye-ja Kim (“Mayonnaise”) gives a convincing portrayal of Mother, as her facial expressions always show the inner workings of this dynamic character’s mind. Kim’s way of speaking illustrates the character’s excitement more than anything else. Unfortunately, the scenes where Mother cries come off as a bit contrived and overdramatic, as they happen too often and are reminiscent of a child in the middle of a temper tantrum, faking tears to get his or her own way. This aside, Kim manages to bring this crazed woman to life, instilling in her a sense of quirkiness.
“Mother’s” supporting actors are just as strong. Bin Won (“My Brother”) gives a convincing portrayal of the gullible, slightly impaired Yoon Do-Joon who is constantly in a state of confusion. Exuding vulnerability, Won feeds off the emotions he evokes with his portrayal of the character. With close-ups of a startled face, eyes wide and mouth open, it’s difficult not to feel sympathy for Yoon Do-Joon. Ku Jin (“The Truck”) provides the eye candy in the film as Jin-tae. However, as the film progresses, Jin-tae becomes more than just a pretty face. The compassion Jin brings to Jin-tae’s actions brings an added depth to the friendship between him and Yoon Do-Joon. While helping mother after the arrest, Jin-tae manages to come off as both helpful and dangerous to Mother, heightening the tension in an already tense film and bringing in yet another added dimension to the plot.
“Mother” is always tangible to the audience and is completely thrilling. Viewers grip their seats tightly on this journey, silently egging mother along the way. With a film so beautifully shot and wonderfully cast, it’s hard to see “Mother” as being a disappointment to any viewer.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
