I am writing this on a Saturday because I want to make sure that I get everything down. Rarely, I mean RARELY do I venture to the land of Lifetime – Television for Women (I have my reasons). But very interesting sight of Samuel L. Jackson and Naomi Watts in bed TOGETHER made me stop in my tracks.
What I watched over the course of the next couple of hours was honest and well-performed (if not a bit melodramatic in some movements, but all is ultimately forgiven) – and also this week’s ‘overlooked’ film – 2009’s Mother and Child.
Written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia, it should surprise no one how the intersecting lives narrative works. Here, the central theme is (as indicated by the title) are the various women’s relationship to motherhood.
- Karen (Naomi Watts) is an ambitious, determined woman who faces a daunting decision that causes her to face the demons of the past.
- Elizabeth (Annette Bening) never quite got over the fact that subsequent to falling pregnant aged 14, there was something missing in her life. Now 38 years later, will she have a chance at redemption?
- Lucy (Kerry Washington), is unable to have a child of her own but is willing to move heaven and earth to right this wrong.
From the main cast down to the supporting players (Shareeka Epps, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Cherry Jones, David Morse) this film is so well played that I stayed on Lifetime (even watching a preview of The Client List) until the film’s conclusion.
Be sure to check out other overlooked titles at Sweet Freedom!
Patti Abbott says
April 23, 2013 at 10:07 amI saw this at a movie theater a few years ago Could that be true?
Todd Mason says
April 23, 2013 at 10:14 amYes, it was a cinematic release. Lifetime can buy those, too!
Todd Mason recently posted..FFB: Books By or About Comedians (Standups, Dramatists, Sly Observers, Tellers of Tall Tales)
Todd Mason says
April 23, 2013 at 10:10 amSamuel Jackson’s character’s no fool! (Or at least is a character with taste, clearly.) And Lifetime does occasionally slip up and program something interesting…though the last time they had a thoroughly good series might been two decades ago, with the horror and suspense anthology (no less), THE HIDDEN ROOM. ANY DAY NOW and that paranormal detective series (title slipping my mind) they’ve run since not too shabby. But if your reasons for avoiding Lifetime involve growing a bit weary of the boyfriend or husband being the insane villain, despite seeming perfectly fine at some point, with the occasional insane Other Woman tossed in, my sympathies.
Todd Mason recently posted..INDEPENDENT LENS: Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines; Susan Orlean on The JV Club
iluvcinema says
April 23, 2013 at 10:44 amYeah that’ll be it.
Todd Mason says
April 23, 2013 at 10:13 amGarcia has done some interesting work, often engaging gender issues…and I generally find the WIGS web series he’s producing pretty engaging, even if some of it is pretty soapy. Didn’t realize till now that he’s Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s son…no artistic anxiety possible there, surely!
Todd Mason recently posted..Saturday Music Club: some jazz vocalists
iluvcinema says
April 23, 2013 at 10:41 amFun fact of the day!!! No pressure at all, eh.
Peter says
April 23, 2013 at 1:57 pmI saw it on Lifetime as well and they cut it, if you get a chance, see the DVD.
iluvcinema says
April 23, 2013 at 4:07 pmYeah i could definitely tell that it was pretty chopped up.
ruth says
April 23, 2013 at 2:34 pmWow, I’ve never heard of this one so definitely overlooked. The female cast sounds good, Annette Bening and Naomi Watts, now that’s worth seeing.
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iluvcinema says
April 23, 2013 at 4:08 pmDefinitely worth a look. I had heard about it a while ago but like many things it had fallen off of my radar until I stumbled upon it over the weekend.
Yvette says
April 24, 2013 at 2:55 pmI always wondered why Samuel Jackson never got a chance to play a romantic leading man. I’ll be looking for this film. Thanks for a great review.
Yvette recently posted..Tuesday’s Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film: HIGHLY DANGEROUS (1950) starring Margaret Lockwood, Dane Clark and Marius Goring
Yvette says
April 24, 2013 at 3:01 pmI always wondered why Samuel Jackson never got a chance to play a romantic leading man. I’ll be looking for this film. Thanks for a great review.
P.S. I see it’s on Netflix.
Yvette recently posted..Tuesday’s Overlooked (or Forgotten) Film: HIGHLY DANGEROUS (1950) starring Margaret Lockwood, Dane Clark and Marius Goring
iluvcinema says
April 24, 2013 at 3:03 pm🙂