Mommy

R

Released Jan 23, 2015

2 hr. 19 min.

Drama

List

89%

129 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A peculiar neighbor (Suzanne Clément) offers hope to a recent widow (Anne Dorval) who is struggling to raise a teenager (Antoine-Olivier Pilon) who is unpredictable and, sometimes, violent.

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Critics Consensus

As challenging as it is rewarding, Mommy finds writer-director Xavier Dolan taking another impressive step forward.

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Jeff S

This might be the best Canadian movie of the decade.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/24

Full Review

Alec B

In Xavier Dolan's "Mommy," the audacious Canadian director unleashes a cinematic tour de force that transcends conventional storytelling. Filmed with an electrifying intensity, Dolan's use of a 1:1 aspect ratio, a square frame that heightens the emotional immediacy of each scene, is nothing short of revolutionary. The film explores the intimate relationship between a widowed mother (Anne Dorval) and her volatile son (Antoine-Olivier Pilon). Dolan's direction, coupled with the unfiltered "joual" Québécois dialect, immerses the audience into the lesser-known world of Quebec's working-class neighborhoods. The film's emotional depth is staggering, propelled by powerful performances and a pulsating soundtrack that underscores the tumultuous journey of its characters. "Mommy" is an unapologetically visceral exploration of familial bonds, beautifully captured through Dolan's distinctive visual and narrative stylings, making it a poignant and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Roque Contreras G

Este filme me encanto, su escenografía, las actuaciones, y el guion es perfecto, me enamoré del formato intercambiable (lo percibí que cuando pasaban momentos felices se agrandaba, pero cuando pasaba algo malo se hacía pequeño 1:1). Tiene un guion muy bien hecho, no sabes lo que seguirá después, tiene un pequeño toque de la película "i killed my mother" del 2009, el soundtrack es verdaderamente impresiónate, en realidad te apiadas de los personajes, sientes como puedes llegar a identificarte con algunas palabras, la producción de esta película se ve a kilómetros, la forma en la que llegas a sentirlo es inquietamente triste y desgarrador, te apiadas de cada papel que te hace llorar. Sin duda una película tan desgarradora y hermosa. UNA OBRA DE ARTE.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

kaden d

Perfect movie from start to finish, every shot is masterfully used to tell the story. 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

isla s

This is a good film that makes you wonder how you might cope if you were a single parent of such a badly behaved, disruptive teenager. Its a hard watch at times, certainly and there aren't any real answers given as such - its a sobering watch, a gritty, sobering watch and so it won't appeal to all. I'm not sure how much we're meant to learn by what we see but it is somewhat thought provoking at times and the cast give pretty good performances, so it's not bad. Also, the part where Oasis' Wonderwall is played is certainly somewhat chilling. Its not really a film I'm likely to think about too much as I've seen other films with similar plots but its certainly not bad either, its just a film you really need to be in the right kind of mood for, I'd say. I think the thing I find most sad about it is the name of the film itself (which is referenced in the plotline). If I had to compare it to any other film, I'd say its like a French version of 'We Need to Talk about Kevin', if that helps. Would I recommend it? yes, I suppose I would.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

saige e

Harrowing, mesmerizing, memorable. Mommy is another of Dolan's films that I have viewed several times. Life is art here, and it is breathtaking. People grapple for solutions and society challenges the solutions. I am captivated by this director's masterstrokes. When brilliant actors have room to breathe they flourish. Perhaps this is a lesson for life. As with Dolan's other films, there are deeper layers of meaning at work here. The social trap is a challenge to the viewers. Dolan takes hope to the highest level and reveals the excruciating depths of despair caused when hope is hope frustrated. There are no easy answers but here we have art staked on the existential 'who are we' and 'why?' What is society? Dolan gives us plenty to digest. My hope is that a better society might be shaped by the arguments presented in this fine work of art.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Xavier Dolan

Director

Anne Dorval

Diane "Die" Després

Antoine Olivier Pilon

Steve Després

Suzanne Clément

Kyla

Alexandre Goyette

Patrick

Patrick Huard

Paul Béliveau

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Philippa Hawker

The Age (Australia)

The cinematic frame might have contracted, but there's a kind of ferocious compassion in Dolan's vision, and its embrace is startlingly wide.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 9, 2015

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Dolan loves close-ups and he gives his actors every chance to demonstrate their talent for ringing the emotional changes in a single take.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 9, 2015

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Dorval and Clément are both exceptional, their brilliantly controlled performances contrasting with the explosive energy of rising star Pilon, who looks set to burst out of the screen and into the auditorium.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 22, 2015

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

Mommy ratifies Dolan's immense talent, his ability to intensely direct actors and his tireless creativity, but also his capriciousness and superfluous aesthetic, which often make him lose focus of what is essential. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Jun 22, 2023

Full Review

Alex Denney

NME (New Musical Express)

...for all of Steve's livewire energy, the hero of Mommy is never in doubt. Anne Dorval is simply amazing as the indomitable Die...

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 22, 2021

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Let's say it's a movie for all the broken families in the world who have the illusion of being perfect. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Jun 26, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A peculiar neighbor (Suzanne Clément) offers hope to a recent widow (Anne Dorval) who is struggling to raise a teenager (Antoine-Olivier Pilon) who is unpredictable and, sometimes, violent.

Director: Xavier Dolan
Screenwriter: Xavier Dolan, Xavier Dolan
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (SODEC)
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language Throughout|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (Canada)
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M

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