Andrés Muschietti
La madre

Let's overlook the fact that I don't understand why Italians needed to distort the original title "Mama" with an arbitrary translation, stripping it of all the eerie and innocent childlike quality it originally had. The film, modestly praised by both professional and amateur critics, disappointed me in any case. Already, Guillermo del Toro had lent his name to "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," a mediocre film, sure, but with the virtue of the gothic and artistic aesthetics that one expects from the producer. The film wasn't scary, sure. The film didn't have a good plot, sure. But the scenography and play of light were pleasing enough to watch with an empty mind: some scenes were like beautiful paintings. Now, however, with "Mama" even the aesthetic component is absent (the plot preventing it, for most of the film). Why, Billy, did you shell out in favor of this film? What did you see as good in the new director's idea when they showed you that initial short film? A short film, it was, indeed, and maybe it deserved great attention... but as a feature film, it simply doesn't work.

The film is presented as a terrifying horror: it's completely devoid of violence, and the plot has many dramatic moments. It is based on unrest and anguish, and that's what it should convey. In some scenes, it does, and quite well! It understands that you have to play on expectations more than on the scare itself, but although in these few scenes it seems like the fine film every fan has wanted to see for years, for the remaining 90%, it just plays with sound effects and clear figures that suddenly appear on a dark background. Cheap: that's what Youtube Screamers are for. And let's not talk about the CGI! The "monster" is presented right from the opening prologue in all its splendor (am I watching a body horror or a creepy movie?), and it's completely computer-generated. Oh dear, it's well done, for heaven's sake: "what a nice drawing!" But it couldn't appear more fake than it does: lethal for the suspension of disbelief. And it certainly isn't scary, especially since it's shown every 10 minutes. The film is full of clichés, both from Western horror and J-Horror (how many more times will we have to see women moving spider-like like the girl from "The Exorcist" or the one from "The Grudge"?), and in this way, it falls within the range of those "standard" horrors that one always expects to see (and fears). Why not break free, if the director clearly has the capabilities, given the above-average direction, and the producer is of such caliber? I won't spoil the plot for anyone, but don't expect anything truly logical. Much of the film is pointless, and the initial context is pointless too, used solely to bring the two little girls to the house where mommy awaits them, with a casual pretext. Of the man who kills his wife at the beginning of the film, the plot immediately forgets. The ending? Not necessarily bad, but maybe a bit stupid. 

Alas... I find myself, despite everything, having to praise one aspect of the film: the two little girls. The characters are very well constructed, and the actresses' performances are impeccable (but of course, ruined by the rough Italian dubbing). They alone can be considered one of the great redeeming factors of the film. Is it to be thrown away, then? No, but I would never call it "beautiful." It lies in the limbo of mediocre quality Hollywood productions distributed only to make some easy money. Yes, Guillermo. I'm looking at you. And sideways.