Mother and Child (2009)

A drama centered around three women: A 50-year-old woman, the daughter she gave up for adoption 35 years ago, and a woman looking to adopt a child of her own.

Director:

Rodrigo García

Writer:

Rodrigo García

Stars:

Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington

4 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alexandria M. Salling	...	Karen (age 14) (as Alexandria Salling)
Connor Kramme	...	Tom (age 14)
Annette Bening	...	Karen
Eileen Ryan	...	Nora
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Paul
Naomi Watts	...	Elizabeth
Cherry Jones	...	Sister Joanne
Kerry Washington	...	Lucy
David Ramsey	...	Joseph
Kay D'Arcy	...	Karen's Hydrotherapy Patient
Bradford Alex	...	Physical Therapist
Jimmy Smits	...	Paco
Elpidia Carrillo	...	Sofia
Simone Lopez	...	Cristi
Carla Gallo	...	Tracy

Storyline

Almost forty years ago, a young girl of fourteen has sex, gets pregnant, and gives her baby up for adoption. Fast-forwarding to the present day, we meet three very different women, each of whom struggles to maintain control of their lives. There's Elizabeth, a smart and successful lawyer who uses her body to her advantage. Any time she feels that she doesn't have the upper hand, and cannot control the situation, she uses her sex appeal - whether that be starting a romance with her boss when she suspects he is trying to start one himself, or finding some way to control her overly friendly neighbor and husband. Karen, meanwhile, is a bitter health care professional who obviously has a lot of heart but never shows it. She gave up a daughter at the age of fourteen (wonderfully shown rather than told, she is the young girl and mother of Elizabeth), and has never gotten over it - her bitterness inspiring her to lash out at everyone around her - even the gentle man at work who is undeniably ...

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Plot Keywords:

sex | promiscuous woman | underage sex | voyeurism | voyeur | 

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Taglines:

All roads of life lead to one.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, brief nudity, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 July 2010 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Untitled Rodrigo García Project

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,825,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$43,040, 9 May 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,110,286, 17 October 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Everest Entertainment, Cha Cha Chá Films, Mockingbird Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Naomi Watts was pregnant with her second child, and there's a scene at the clinic where the audience can see her real son moving inside her belly. Naomi said in an interview that the baby was sleeping and she took a cold glass of water to wake him up inside.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Karen: Her birthday's coming up. She'll be 37.

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Connections

Referenced in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: The Back-up Plan/The Losers/Paper Man (2010)

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Soundtracks

Being
written by Christy Knowings performed by Christy Knowings (Cikae)

User Reviews

Oustanding drama and colorblind casting

Wow, where do I begin? Well, let me say that I went to the screening after hearing a friend rant and rave about how good it is. Being of the dude species I said to myself it's another chick-flick, but since homegirl couldn't stop talking about how good it was I decided to check it out anyway.

I'm thrilled to say that I am beyond happy that I did. This movie is the BOMB if you appreciate excellent acting, writing, directing and casting. I could go on and on but that's the bottom line.

Well, I do have one more thought. I just hope and pray that come Oscar time - because "Mother and Child" is being released now (Spring, 2010) - that it will somehow not be overlooked.

If you like excellent movie making of the drama variety, go see this film!