Film Mommy by Xavier Dolan - Movie Review Example

First of all, before choosing this sequence I was thinking about the powerful scene of the quarrel Diane has with Steve soon after he comes to live with her in her place. It seemed to me very bright and significant as it showed crucial points and changes of roles that took place several times, making both the mother and the son victims – and then aggressors. But when I saw this scene when Diane recalls all the sweet and sad memories, I found it even more powerful. It touched really deep feelings. This scene takes place after the sweet time they had together. It was very rare as they had merely bad times and quarrels, problems with bad behavior and its consequences. This following scene adds even more “bitterness” – because Diane realizes she has to give her son away as he needs help. All this happens after Steve cut his veins right in the supermarket. She just cannot manage to deal with it. The sequence is a kind of catharsis of the film. It seems very sweet – and exactly this makes it tragic.

Diane dreamt of life success and happiness for her son – though she realizes the way she sees it is impossible. She sees him as a glad graduate, and then she dreams he is in love with a wonderful girl, whom he will marry, and they will live happily ever after. It is very tender when Diane recalls her son as a small baby in her hands. All the scenes are filled with words from her memories – words by Steve, Kyla, and herself. Crucial is the moment of change in the appearance of the son. He stands after the rain and at the moment he is shouting he is free, we see he is another person, who just looks like the real Steve. Here we see the sad truth that Diane really would like to have another son. She realizes her dreams will not come true. This scene is a kind of sincere revealing them and saying farewell to this future they wouldn’t have had anyway.

At the end of the film when Kyla has to leave due to her husband’s work, she says she cannot leave her family. This is not stressed but Diane realizes it concerns her decision of giving away Steve. The problem here, I suppose, is a lack of love. Of course, only this is not always enough. Diane was rather cold emotionally to Steve. Even in the last scene of saying goodbye to Kyla she suppresses her feelings and says ordinary things like cake or waffles; instead of sharing her feelings with Kyla – as well as she avoided emotional conversation with Steve. She shouted at him or laughed with him – but rarely she provided warmth and mother love. Read More