Mother And Child (2010)

The film centers on three women. Two angry, hostile white women (Annette Bening, Naomi Watts) and a neurotic black woman (Kerry Washington). Bening is a withdrawn somewhat paranoid lonely woman living with her dying mother and who can’t help but think of the daughter she gave up for adoption when she was 14. The now grown up daughter (Watts) is a controlling but successful lawyer who is bitter towards the mother who gave her away. Washington, who can’t conceive, decides to adopt a child in a desperate bid to save her marriage. Written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia (NINE LIVES). I've liked all the movies I've seen from Rodrigo Garcia (in varying degrees) and this one is no exception. The film alternates back and forth in these women’s lives as they grow and learn things about themselves and how that cord between mother and child can either give you life or strangle you. It’s beautifully done and Garcia doesn’t overplay his hand. Bening (absolutely wonderful here) and Watts (also terrific) have the difficult task of portraying unlikable women and yet still keep us fascinated enough to care what happens to them. For some reason, it was ignored during the 2010 awards season which was unfortunate. Worth seeking out. With Samuel L. Jackson, Jimmy Smits, Amy Brenneman, Cherry Jones, Elizabeth Pena, Elpidia Carrillo and S. Epatha Merkerson.