Mothers

I had originally planned on avoiding this film based on the title alone, which gives me hives. The cinema passed me by, Netflix didn't. And I'm actually glad, because the finale was way better than I expected. If it weren't for some extremely unnatural scenes and some pretty awkward dialogue, I probably would have gone even higher with my rating. They were on the right track... 3.5 stars. (28.11.2021)

After a downright repulsive trailer, Mothers turned out to be an unexpectedly bearable film that can be quite good in some moments. It's just that the attempt to tell four stories over and over again, with the rather clumsy alternation of genres in addition to the protagonists, makes the whole thing feel not quite cohesive, but more like a bunch of episodes from the lives of four women. The disjointed alternation of comedy, drama and romance thus results in the film not quite holding together, and that's quite a shame. But within the confines of contemporary Czech commercial cinema, it's still one of the better ones and will please its target audience. (25.06.2021)

Can the symptoms of postpartum psychosis (loss of contact with reality, delusions) appear before childbirth or several years after it? Mothers are already discussing it on the e-baby website. Only during the argument between Petra Hřebíčková and Jiří Langmajer did I briefly believe it was from real life and not just a setup of supposedly funny or dramatic scenes, which, according to market demands, ends with moments of happiness for everyone (the muscular rural tractor drivers eyeing Sandra Nováková were a blast). The soundtrack is exceptionally off-putting. I don't understand the effort to push English pop music into such Czech films at all. (07.02.2022)

To be honest, I was expecting a much bigger slapstick from Mothers than what I got in the cinema. True, the film has basically no added value, as it depicts a bunch of generic relationship and family issues we've seen elsewhere. But apart from a few moments – especially with Sandra Novakova – it didn't irritate me in any significant way, and despite the dullness of the premise, I wasn't bored and was even pleasantly amused at times, despite not being the target audience. A weaker three stars! (01.07.2021)

Another Czech comedy. I don't expect much from these movies anymore, but still, I had a feeling that there was a lack of humor. On the other hand, there were too many usual suspects appearing. Lately, I've gotten used to seeing men portrayed as a bunch of stupid, insensitive neanderthals (except for gays and non-white people), but this movie gave me a different impression. I think if I were a woman (or better yet, a mother), this depiction of women would have really upset me. Sure, there are women like that, just as there are the aforementioned neanderthals, but still... As I mentioned, there was either too little humor or it just didn't resonate with me, but I laughed three times (the life annuity scene amused me a lot). Among the actresses, Sandra Nováková impressed me the most with her performance. All in all, it could have been much worse. (08.01.2022)

I didn't have too high expectations, so I am not overflowing with disappointment. I have sympathy for the quartet of main characters, the supporting roles are excellently cast and played by leading Czech and Slovak actors or actresses, and maybe everyone finds someone from their surroundings in the story. I would omit some awkward scenes, turn pseudo-humor into real humor, but basically for me, it's a solid three stars, and thanks to the audience's success, I wouldn't be surprised if we got a sequel. (30.10.2021)