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Mother and Child

Play trailer Poster for Mother and Child R Released May 7, 2010 2h 6m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 131 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The lives of three women have a commonality: adoption. Karen (Annette Bening) is a physical therapist who regrets that, as a teenager, she gave up her daughter for adoption. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) was an adopted child and is now a successful lawyer, but her personal life lacks warmth. Lucy (Kerry Washington) and her husband have failed to conceive and now hope to adopt a baby to make their family complete.
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Mother and Child

Mother and Child

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Critics Consensus

Though it occasionally veers into unnecessary melodrama, Mother and Child benefits from a stellar cast and writer-director Rodrigo Garcia's finely detailed, bravely unsentimental script.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Never lives up to the performances and the first half, particularly, is conducted so methodically it all feels rather sedated and even dreary. Aug 31, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Mother and Child isn't a hard-hitting drama, but rather a precious, soulful look at family, love, and loss. Rated: A Sep 8, 2017 Full Review Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association In the wrong hands, this film could have been grating melodrama. Under Garcia's watchful eye, this is an ode to mothers and children who are lost but not forgotten. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 8, 2016 Full Review Michael Clark Epoch Times In taking a pro-life position, some might assume that it is “anti-pro-choice” by default, but that is not the case. The subject of abortion is never brought up which, in the eyes of some, discounts and ignores the practice altogether. Rated: 4/5 Nov 22, 2023 Full Review Diego Batlle Otroscines.com Here we are in a world of, with, about, and for women. Without a doubt, most of them will enjoy the emotional heft that Mother and Child bestows. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3/5 Sep 2, 2022 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Mother and Child remains as an emotionally satisfying experience. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 15, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alejandro E Narrated in a realistic tone, it tells a linked story about a bond that is invisible but unbreakable: that of mothers and daughters. It is not for nothing that the film had the patronage of Alejandro González Iñarritu. An example of how to make and sell a story that awakens the viewer's empathy without the hook of cheap sentimentality. Watch and learn, Hallmark. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/12/23 Full Review michael s Excellent movie that kept me engaged throughout trying to figure out the connection between the separate story lines. Great acting and a great cast. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I had no preconceptions or expectations coming into this, and while the narrative may prove a stretch for some, I found it both engaging and, at times, touching. This reminded me of the type of movie with large casts, who are loosely connected by a wide ranging plot, that we saw a lot of in the early 2000s, such as Crash, and Innaritu's 21 Grams or Babel. I thought early on this was definitely headed in a particular direction, so was surprised when it veered at one point and offered a much different, and probably more affecting, conclusion than I had anticipated through most of the film. 6.5/10 Samuel L. Jackson Binge: It is safe to assume based on this title the main focus would be on the mothers in this film and, along with a cast this strong, I was surprised Jackson made the strong impression he did in his smaller supporting role. SLJ January #52 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a film a man could pass without realising what a priceless drama they walked pass in a rush to watch Hobbs & Shaw, (as this very man nearly did) 'Need-less-to-say.. Including any action movie I've seen this year, This is a gem 💎 I could watch over and over again.. This is not easy viewing for those with big kind caring loving hearts, as this movie's storyline (which challenges a tough, complex emotive and controversial subject) 'Adoption' is so authentic to life, with, in my opinion, life-time performances played out by spectacular actors and actresses who are ALL SO (F) AMAZING - In each of their roles.. If this movie does not win a string of awards (obviously Including an Oscar) There is no justice in the world...!! I have to say though, Annette Benning steals the shoe with her ever lasting floorless breathtaking performance leaving this big G in absolute tears.. This is hard hitting bitter sweet reality bites drama, and not for the faint hearted, however, written and executed with pure genius on all levels... This is definitely a movie you can watch with the family, or romantically realising how precious life is, and more importantly, how the decisions we make in life can be so profound, sad, and indeed content... ((WooW)) 💔😪❤ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member A beautiful, unsentimental drama about relationships; independence; womanhood; adoption; love; fragility; humanity. Wonderful performances from the three leading ladies make this such a joy to watch. Brilliant work by Rodrigo García Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review chartwell c Great pro-life movie! Adoption not abortion!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mother and Child

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis The lives of three women have a commonality: adoption. Karen (Annette Bening) is a physical therapist who regrets that, as a teenager, she gave up her daughter for adoption. Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) was an adopted child and is now a successful lawyer, but her personal life lacks warmth. Lucy (Kerry Washington) and her husband have failed to conceive and now hope to adopt a baby to make their family complete.
Director
Rodrigo Garcia
Producer
Lisa Falcone, Julie Lynn
Screenwriter
Rodrigo Garcia
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Mockingbird Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Brief Nudity|Sexuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 7, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.1M
Runtime
2h 6m
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