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First, the Recap:
Irreproachable (even when NOT always so) doter. Undeniable source of comfort. Relentlessly protective. Ardent supporter. Mother. Let’s be honest. For so many of us in our own experiences on this Earth, our mothers remain the most steadfast instigators of positive reinforcement and influence both as we are raised in childhood as well as into adulthood. It is this evident and lasting bond that so often transports us above our circumstances, a voice of reason and unconditional love that trumps the difficulties we encounter. It steers us correctly, something we don’t tend to turn away from. As it is, for one mother named Julie (Bethany Anne Lind), this will be put to a gut-wrenching test in association with her college-aged son Harrison (Ben Irving) along with a seemingly apathetic husband, Jason (D.W. Moffett). With the outcome of events looming over her, can Julie’s unquestionable adoration and fervent pleading on behalf of her son bring needed resolution to the unthinkable?
Next, my Mind:
A wholly intentional, unapologetic, unsettlingly blunt portrait of a mother’s love, a child’s misguided mindset, the sheer desperation in actions taken, the heartrending consequences that hopelessness and anger can manifest, plus the absolute necessity of greater mental health awareness and addressing it all get jarringly and affectingly explored through this utterly disconcerting yet unequivocally purposeful 14-minute short film from writer/director/producer Maia Scalia, producer Ani Schroeter, executive producer Eileen Kelly, and executive producer/editor Pietro Scalia that will have screen time as an official selection for the 20th Anniversary HollyShorts Film Festival, which runs August 8th-18th at the renowned TCL Chinese Theater, Los Angeles. I never shy away from stating that films which address relevant social issues are always pertinent, and to say the least, this effort emphatically reinforces that with themes and overall execution that had the same crushing impact for me as the 2022 Oscar-qualifying short “Triggered“.
Delivered through a narrative that sees a mother in her car racing towards an initially unknown destination while involved with multiple calls and a demeanor that is an emotively potent mix of severe agitation, heartbreaking affliction, and a burning firmness of hell-bent resolve, the film carries itself and its pacing with relentless vigor, a constantly frenetic experience in all-encompassing panic, confusion, revelation, and fervor that effectively conveys every possible facet of its story’s circumstances in a manner that WILL STAY with you from start to finish as events are exposed. The visual presentation here contributes to this unnerving atmosphere to such a fantastically substantial magnitude, very smartly shot so as to keep you undeniably focused and FEELING…EVERY…SINGLE…MOMENT of profound and explosive volatility the narrative gives, which all builds and builds and builds until reaching a finale that is a tear-inducing, hand-to-mouth, unflinchingly punch-to-the face, cement-it-in-your-head tour-de-force. Messages received. PERIOD. I am purposely keeping elements more veiled here. Watch the film and understand.
While you might wish to GLEAN certain elements of the occurrences that are expressed through this project, SEEING it and ABSORBING it are what gives the effort its strength of objective and I will only say that, in many respects, it is so sad that we FIND it necessary to journey into these themes that are torn right from the tapestry of our country’s current state of being, much less when what’s shown is even more deeply PERSONAL to the filmmaker. And it IS this approach that gives the film its unique influence and compelling force when we’re witnessing the events depicted FROM such a distinctly individualized perspective via its primary character as opposed to a broader scope. It makes the film become SO deftly accessible/relatable even in spite of it being a situation we’d never wish to find ourselves encountering, and, like so many indie filmmakers out there I’ve and the chance to connect with, I give Scalia and Co. unmitigated applause and support for BEING so open and fearlessly bold to offer up a film like this for the world to see and contemplate.
Lind contributes one of the best performances I’ve seen this year with degrees of emotional intensity and credibility that almost defy belief through her role as Julie, a woman and more importantly a mother who’s found herself rushing through the streets in her car, hurtling towards potential inevitability, in a consummately raw, increasingly stressful state of mind due to an escalating incident involving her college-aged son. With a level of concern, stormy determination, and exhaustive depth of love, Julie traverses the plight as only a mother can, an illustration that no matter what is transpiring, she WILL BE THERE for her son in his time of need. How it all ends will become the driving impetus for her as she handles a multitude of calls and messages associated with the happenings, and watching how Lind so effortlessly guides the character through the harrowingly turbulent atmosphere being portrayed, with the actress’ energy, poise, and commitment to the role that is overtly evident, had to have been difficult at times to embody, which is total testament to Lind’s talent on display here.
Primary supporting roles arrive first through Irving as Julie’s son Harrison, whose recent choices and subsequent actions have landed him on a course with an outcome that could be disastrous. Moffett is Julie’s spouse Jason, who is someone we’re not actually sure about in regard to his REAL concern and commitment to aiding Julie in the crisis as opposed to not having a willingness to embrace truths associated with it all. Additional key supporting roles arrive through Evan Hall, Aleah Quiñones, and Erin McCluskey who all do a fine job in how their characters are integrated into the narrative’s course. Other appearances are made by Alex Halpern, Adam Stephenson, Michael Cuomo, plus Nova & Bodie Ladish. So, in total, “His Mother” is both a reflection of our tumultuous world, the immensity of unconditional parental devotion, and the keenly essential acknowledgement of just how imperative it is we KEEP mental health and gun violence prevention a PRIORITY in this day, as more than ever, plain and simple, we don’t want to EVER grow USED to hearing stories like this film relays and react with indifference or “it’s just the way it is now”. Time to CARE, folks.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
