IR Film Review: MOTHER/ANDROID [Hulu]
The aspect of survival in a crushing world where hope takes on an idea of simply existing can be a bleak place. "Mother/Android" (which is not the most compelling title but also the film is difficult to compartmentalize) is a family drama film but taken from a science fiction context. While it doesn't function as well on the existential structure of "Swan Song", it does show Chloe Grace Moretz's continuing angle of trying unique female roles outside the Hollywood norm against a genre structure (which still makes them viable commercial product without having to deliver boffo numbers). It is a very specific and unique path since she could in many ways engage into a blockbuster in ways like Scarlett Johannsson or Bryce Dallas Howard have done but that can be a crap shoot that might not pay solid dividends.
Having first interviewed her for "Hugo" many years ago, it is both reassuring and great to see her making the transition into adult fare on her terms from a child actor where many have failed. Kirsten Dunst has done it but she also had "Spider-Man" at a crucial time. What is interesting with "Mother/Android" is its diametric opposite but still similarities to Moretz's previous film: "Shadow In The Clouds" which showed her facing off against gremlins of the World War II definition. The similarities are based in the motherhood motif which has a primal texture which might be alluring for her for whatever reason. Her character then must go into protection mode which obviously served Ripley well in Aliens". The character here who is forced to go on the run with her boyfriend while she is close to term on an unplanned pregnancy.
What the performance specifically does in Moretz's case is interesting in its balance of blame back and forth but also of context which a female film producer spoke of and made a very good point about in the Middle East to this reviewer. It is about finding balance where the story propels the female perspective and strength but also doesn't attack men obliquely letting them perhaps become more part of the experience. This is very smart but usually it is done with a bit of humor but very hard to maintain because you don't want to compromise her character either.
"Mother/Android" is bleak to be sure but it uses its smarts and Moretz's continuing use of up-close physicality and pain to propel her emotional state and thereby the visceral connection to the character. The movie works in that it has a higher concept but uses its sci-fi structure sparingly as it was on a budget. However the backing of "Planet Of The Apes" maestro Matt Reeves as a producer speaks to a bigger perspective of eventual career path with Moretz. While her boyfriend in the film undergoes physical strife as well and there is a tad of existential texture with a visitor that rescues her at one point, the story is not a revelatory in the moment it happens though it does linger and reinforce itself later.
"Mother/Android" continues a solid genre progression for Chloe Grace Moretz making films that push perception and perspective on her terms. This is also more of a romantic relationship than she has shown before which works but it will be fascinating when she faces off with an equal screen partner to her talents to see where that takes her even as she takes the lead. B
By Tim Wassberg
