Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Poetic prose and excessive metaphors turn this supernatural drama into a snooze fest. “Mother Mary” is an artistic ghost story that places more emphasis on style rather than substance. Two dynamic performances are not enough to resuscitate the flatlined story.
A pop music icon, Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway), is attempting a comeback after a grievous injury, but she must confront her past even if that means reopening old wounds. She turns to her former friend and costume designer Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel) to craft her the perfect dress for her big performance. As past transgressions bubble to the surface, a ghost story comes to light that links them both.
Just like he did with 2024’s “Queer,” writer/director David Lowery focuses on artistic style over storytelling. His heavy-handed use of imagery and metaphors is enough to give even Yoda a brain aneurism. In fact, at one point in the movie, the main character complains about how the constant metaphors are becoming exhausting. These sentiments are shared by the audience as they struggle to keep their eyes open long enough to understand them. Sadly, the payoff is not as deep or interesting as the buildup makes it to be.
With Lowery’s emphasis on the visuals, the cinematography he employs enhances the dreamlike imagery, giving it an almost surreal fever dream feel to it. Vibrant colors, dynamic camera movements, and creative framing explore the film’s psychological and emotional depth. This visual style also tends to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, which adds an additional layer of frustration for viewers. Of course, with the plot centered around costume design, the costumes themselves are breathtaking.
For as much emphasis as there is on visual symbolism, there’s an equal emphasis on dialogue, requiring strong acting performances. Despite the convoluted speech, the two performances from Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel are emotionally committed. They work very well off each other, feeding off each other’s incredible depth. The emotion they pull from one another creates the only compelling reason to sit through an otherwise drab film.
If this is considered a supernatural ghost story, then it is an incredibly dull one featuring zero suspense or fright. “Mother Mary” pretends to have a lot to say, but dances around so much that by the time it gets there, the message is obvious and underwhelming, leaving audiences fatigued and frustrated. The terrific acting and catchy music are simply not enough to make this movie worth watching.
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