Friday, 22 September 2017

mother! - The scoop and digest

Darren Aronofsky's latest effort is like your first love.  Whether experience was good or bad, it's something you'll never forget.

Jennifer Lawrence - Mother
Javier Bardem - Him
Ed Harris - Man
Michelle Pfeiffer - Woman
Domhnall Gleeson - Oldest Son
Brian Gleeson - Younger Brother

Film opens up with close up shot of a woman's face on fire, man placing crystalized object on a frame, burnt-out home returning to original state and wife forming on bed, asking where better half is.

She begins experiencing visions of bleeding floorboards, nasty things that eventually flush and walls beating fast, with heart gradually turning black.

Much to wife's reluctance, writer's block husband lets a dying orthopedic surgeon and his wife stay.

Odd behaviour ensues, with precious object smashed to smithereens.

Husband is mortified and agrees to evict them both.

Couple's sons unexpectedly arrive and immediately quarrel over the distribution of father's will.

In resulting scuffle, oldest mortally wounds youngest, who subsequently dies.

Wife's paranoia isn't done any favours when during wake, a clutch of strangers cause chaos.

She finally snaps when strangers flood the house by breaking sink's plumbing.

After getting rid of pesky guests, they have sex.

Morning breaks and he's delighted to learn she's cooking one in the oven.

Inspired by the prospect of fatherhood, magnum opus is quickly whipped up and magically published.

House is consumed by insanity (police, concentration camps etc), and amidst cultists executing fanatical fans, she gives birth.

Baby boy is mutilated and crowd enjoy last supper.

Grabbing shard of glass, she goes on a murder spree and escapes to the basement.

Pleas from husband not to light oil spill falls on deaf ears and sea of flames wipes out devoted following.

Unharmed, he reaches inside chest and crushes ash covered heart, uncovering ornament.

As house and immediate surroundings revert back to normal, a new mother begins process all over again.

Biblical references

Him - God
Mother - Mother Earth
Man - Adam
Woman - Eve
Oldest son - Cain
Youngest brother - Abel

In the Book of Genesis, Cain and Abel are the sons of Adam and Eve.

Cain was the first human born and Abel was first to die.

Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit, but here, that doesn't happen.

I'd suggest crystal represents fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Mother mentions Armageddon and prophesises event when reading poet's 'beautiful' verse.

Philanderer, adulterer, drunkard, fool, thief, consoler, defiler and whoremonger are just some of supporting characters listed in credits.

Not for everybody

Ignoring the obvious undertones of Rosemary's Baby, running time is gloriously surreal, but I do appreciate why some found it appalling.

Leads give brilliant performances, with Harris and Pfeiffer enjoying creepy turns.

Of fucked up final part, what drugs did director take?

As visions intensify, Mother takes edge off by mixing water with yellow powder.

What's that all about?

Deterrent against descent into psychosis?

Metaphors are open to interpretation and I'm sure symbolism will continue to be analysed and debated.

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