by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What a run Jennifer Lopez is on. Starting with the film Hustlers, she has made an impact on the film scene. Arguably getting snubbed for an Oscar nomination, Lopez knocked it out of the park as a stripper who takes it to the worst men out there and supports her family. She has been making a splash with romcoms lately as well. Marry Me and Shotgun Wedding had enough charm, in no small part to the charisma that Lopez possesses. Lopez has shown that she has some range, so it is not a surprise that she will keep trying to tackle new ventures.
But what has she tackled now? Acclaimed director of Whale Rider, Niki Caro, puts Lopez at the forefront of her new action thriller, The Mother, on Netflix. This is a big leap for her, as she must be a convincing cold-blooded sniper who only cracks when it comes to her long-estranged daughter. Her performance is quite convincing, especially from the physical standpoint. She is in impeccable shape, and she sells stunts quite well. There are also moments where she must be aggressive, cold, and violent. It is honestly shocking to see her be that intimidating. When things get more emotional, she shows some surprising depth. Overall, this film is indeed the J-Lo show, and if you want to watch that…you will not be disappointed.
What talents does Caro bring to the table? There are some rock-solid thrills along the way, with nice helpings of action sequences, including a variety of chases. Those elements of the film work well, but it is the close combat aspects that are lacking. Obvious stunt doubles and horribly choppy editing take away plenty of the high-octane thrills that Caro attempts to deliver. The tone is also quite grim from start to finish, so don’t expect a fun action/thriller out of The Mother. There are emotional moments for sure, and Caro leans into the themes of motherhood and the mother/daughter dynamic at the core of the film to deliver much of that emotion. The tone is a bit rough, as the two halves of the film struggle to feel cohesive. The first is a globe-trotting action flick, while the second comes in as an isolated thriller mostly, focusing on the mother/daughter dynamic. This does also mesh well, but each part offers up some elements that work, and others that don’t.
What about the rest of this cast? The supporting player is Lopez’s daughter, portrayed by Lucy Paez. Unfortunately, her performance is seriously uneven for such a key piece to this film. She goes over the top quite a few times, which clashes with Lopez’s more sobering and intense performance. Paul Raci is a genuine supporting player who is a nice addition to the cast, whereas Omari Hardwick unfortunately comes off as flat and lacking in presence, when it would have helped the film to have a bit of presence in this key role. But it is the antagonists who are a bit mismatched and some of the weaker elements of the film. Gael García Bernal brings a big personality to an almost nothing role that is wasted in one short scene earlier in the film. Joseph Fiennes offers up a weird accent and wonky annunciations that make it difficult to even understand him half the time.
Is The Mother worth a stream over on Netflix? You must check your expectations. Do you want some thrills, while not caring too much about an overly stretched runtime and uneven tones? Then this is a film worth streaming. If you really enjoy Lopez, and are waiting for an opportunity to see her shake things up, here is your opportunity. But if those shortcomings weigh on you too much, this just might be a pass.
Score: 5/10
The Mother is currently streaming on Netflix
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