by Samuel Nichols, Contributing Writer
Premiering the same weekend as the most anticipated biopic, about a pop superstar, theaters are offering up unique counter programming with Mother Mary. While not a biography, it a noble attempt at introspection that ultimately falls short. Granted, I am not a fan of this genre as all the entries of the last ten years have felt incredibly cookie cutter. So, a more personal look into the mind of a pop superstar is a welcome choice. Plus, I cannot help but appreciate its attempt, largely due to Anne Hathaway’s starring performance.
After a near-tragedy, superstar Mother Mary (Hathaway) is ready to get back in the spotlight. But a few days before her return concert, she has a minor breakdown and decides she needs a new dress for the show. After surprising her former best friend and designer Sam (Michaela Coel) with a visit and request for said dress, the design process begins. They have a lot to catch up on, having not seen each other for years. Naturally they have bones to pick and apologies to make, but their reunion brings more than that. In recounting the years since their split, the two realize they have been dealing with a similar feeling that something is haunting them. Perhaps their reunion was meant for more than just dressmaking and saying, “I’m sorry.”
The conversation and aforementioned reunion between Sam and Mary may not have been the selling point of this flick, but it is the best part. Hathaway and Coel have an energy between them that is not easy to produce. There is an excellent air of resentment and guilt between them that feels deserved given their separation. When the walls start to come down their chemistry has the effortless feeling of two old friends. But the conversation is a slow drip rather than a damn bursting, and the slow release works well. If this was the whole point of the movie I would have enjoyed it far more.
Unfortunately, Mother Mary’s ambition takes it down a dangerous rabbit hole. Both Sam and Mary open up about different times since their parting where they’ve felt something paranormal. Primarily both their ghostly experiences relate with their memories of each other. And that almost works with the theme of their former friendship, but it is a bit too vague to really land. If they had wanted to go a more horror-esque route I would have been fine with that. However, this new tone does not start until an hour into the movie, far too late for a surprise shift.
Aside from how late in the game this paranormal angle shows up, it has no direct bearing on the main fulcrum of the story: Mary and Sam’s relationship. These scenes where our two leads are dealing with despair and anger feel like dreams, shapeless and unclear in their orientation. Are they trying to draw a parallel between their resentment of each other? No clue. Could it be about the pressure Mary and Sam are under and the despair they feel? If you say so. Maybe all of this is a fever dream in Mary’s exhausted and fragile mind? Regardless, the less-than-real scenes pose more questions than they answer. Whatever emotion or feeling they are going for is not conveyed by these moments.
While the theming leaves something to be desired, the filmmaking here is strong. Long tracking shots, well-lit large environments, and good use of zooms. The staging and shots themselves aesthetically work quite well. Given that half the story is about a designer, everyone looks incredible whether in costumes for a concert or just in their everyday business attire. Honestly, the fashion elements were so much more interesting than when the story changed tone. I understand the writers trying to make a bold choice, but you can still marry the idea of mending a friendship and dressmaking.
More than anything, I left the theater disappointed. I have yet to see Hathaway give a poor performance and Coel did well too. Given the strong cinematography, a lot of the pieces were here for a good movie. But the dueling dichotomy of the story styles weighed the final product down. I would like to see someone else take a crack at this material because Mother Mary could have been a very good movie.
Rating: High Side of Didn’t Like It
Mother Mary is currently in theaters.
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