Ma Mère

Not for everyone, kinda icky with the mother and son stuff. . . and that ending, wtf. But I love Isabelle.

A provocative, transgressive drama that explores desire, power, and taboo family dynamics in a deliberately unsettling way, which can feel either intellectually daring or gratuitously uncomfortable depending on your threshold.

Isabelle Huppert had long since established herself as an unusually fearless actor by the time she had taken the lead in Ma Mère. Relative newcomer Louis Garrel matched her with intense abandon in an emotionally (and often physically) naked performance as her pious young son who is corrupted body and soul over the course of a summer in Gran Canaria.

Based on the novel by George Bataille, Christophe Honoré’s adaptation is equally subversive, to say the least. The depravity on display may be intermittently graphic but its pervasiveness is what haunts the viewer. It careens toward a climax and denouement that is equal parts shocking, confounding and infuriating yet somehow perfect.

KimStim is a partner label that’s somewhat new to me. I love their taste acquisitions but their extras are close to nonexistent, only a trailer and director interview with this release. Still, the slipcover is gorgeous, perfectly complementing the original artwork and most importantly, the transfer is stunning.

Ma Mère is not for everyone. It may not even be for most. But those who like to seek out daring, transgressive cinema should check this one out.

It doesn't get much more French than this.

Great drama and quite disturbing at times. Super cast and well directed.