The characters do a lot of shocking and crazy things, but I don't think you could call them crazy. You could almost imagine yourself doing the same thing if you were in their shoes.

The plot takes a lot of interesting turns and finds a compelling Hitchcockian balance of humor, mystery, drama and horror. Hye-ja Kim's is burdened with carrying almost every scene after the first act, and she does an admirable job. I do kind of have a problem with simpleton characters (i.e., the son) as it often becomes a rather cheap plot device (see also: Dancer in the Dark). Other than this, however, I thought the movie was very effective and contains some terrific, inventive moments.

The first part of this film and the trailer gave me the impression it would be a different film, a more basic storyline. While it didn't just go down the familiar path, it also didn't have the 'meat' I was expecting.

There is a certain danger that hangs in the air in Mother. Match that with some impressive cinematography and a stellar performance by Hye-ja Kim, and it's a good watch (to say the least). I liked it for its genre-bending quirks, and I wish those aspects were played up more.

I saw this on quite a few best of the year lists. While I wouldn't rank it that high, it's always refreshing to see films which reject the idea of genre, or homage, or precedent. Mother allows itself to be unpredictable and untethered in a way that maybe 1 out of 50 Hollywood films are.

much more mature than bong's other films that i've seen, this one retains some of his characteristic odd comedic timing, but with a much more engrossing and tight narrative. kim hye-ja's performance is also excellent.

88.750

Really liked this film about a mother searching for the real killer of a murder her son was convicted for. It's at times hilarious, at times terrifying and at time sweet. Hye-ja Kim delivers a fantastic performance as the extremely devoted mother of a child that is just too dumb to distinguish his nose from his ear. Impressive on a cinematographical level as well!

As in his overrated sci-fi monster movie The Host, Bong uses outrageous, over-scaled violence to offset his superficial look at family dynamics.

Let's get one complaint out of the way: the ending drags. Otherwise: Mother is engaging, the plot is interesting, the movie raises interesting questions thematically, and Joon-ho Bong evidently has an eye for cinematography, because the entire film is visually fantastic: somehow gritty and earthly, but simulatenously it has an odd ethereal beauty, especially in the last shot (and a great shot it is). In summary: Mother is a great film from a great director. Score is not a grade.

Hye-ja's performance as an implacably loyal mother sets the tone for this unusual murder investigation, which traipses through a disenfranchised Korean community. The film's characters and plot develop cohesively, and are captured with brilliantly clean camera work. The script entwines its fascinating characters, and delivers a consistently enveloping experience that is realized with deft expertise, as well as a crushing revelation that enhances the depth of the protagonist.

"Bong is less interested in shocks than in the synergy between the country's vast fields and the equally mysterious inner landscape of the dazed matriarch making her way across them." - Fernando F. Croce

1600th

This goes to darker places than I was expecting, and I enjoyed it all the way through. Some plot points didn't make a lot of sense, and I kind of wanted to slap the son around, but Kim Hye-ja's performance as the nameless Mother was incredible.

Big dilemma here: The first hour was very, very difficult for me to get through. Took me several days. It bored me. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of film or what, but that was the situation. Then I watch the second half of the movie and am utterly enthralled. Beautifully shot, brilliantly acted, emotionally resonant, unexpected, unusual, awesome. Really awesome. So what do I rate it? With the last hour fresh in my mind? 90+. But I can't do that. Sorry, Mother!

It was shaping up to be a lame thriller until it boldly moved in a fresh direction. Most parents are blind to the true nature of their children: "My little Johnny would never bully your daughter! He studied very hard on that test; give him a better mark! etc." How far will a parent deny the truth, and how will that parent react when the truth becomes undeniable? "Mother" would be a classic if it had spent more time exploring these questions. Also, all characters besides Mom are superficial.

Nice movie

My first Joon-Ho Bong film. Not a fan. There are whispers of greatness here, but it never really gels for me. There are at least a dozen Korean film masters working today, making urgent, exhilarating work. This just wasn't one of them.

God damn it, Mr. Bong, how are you so good at this?

simple story, long runtime. acting is good but couldn't say the same to directing and writing. Could be more simple as the story.

The lead actor has a compelling face, but I didn't care about her or her son very much.