Mother and Child

PRODUCTIONNOTES

MotherandChild

AFilmbyRodrigoGarcia

NaomiWatts

AnnetteBening

KerryWashington

JimmySmits

and

SamuelLJackson

Releasedate:17June2010

Runningtime:126minutes

Rated:TBC

SHORTSYNOPSIS

Fromwriter-directorRodrigoGarcia(NineLives)andexecutiveproducedbyAlejandroGonzalezIñárritu(Babel,21Grams),MotherandChildisastrikingdramacentredaroundthreewomenwhosepathswillcrossandchangethemforever:Karen(AnnetteBening)areserved50-yearoldnurse,whowasforcedtogiveupherdaughterElizabeth(NaomiWatts)foradoption35yearsagoandhasgrownintoasinge-mindedcareerwoman;andLucy(KerryWashington),desperatetoadoptachildofherown.Aprofoundandmovingfilmaboutforgiveness,thechoiceswemake,thechanceswemissandthepoweroftheunbreakablebondbetweenamotherandchild.

DIRECTOR’SSTATEMENT

Inthebeginningtherewasnoplot,onlyavagueideaabouttwostrangerswholongedforeachother,andhowthatlonginghadshapedandmisshapedtheirpsyches.Itwastobe,hopefully,aportraitofcomplicatedfeelingsandtheintertwineddestiniesoftwowomen,thenthree.Ihavenoideawhatorganinmybodythisallcamefrom-Ihardlyrecognizedmyselfinthestory.(It’spossiblethatitcamefromeveryparent’sfearofbeingseparatedfromtheirchildbytimeorillnessoraccidentormisunderstandingormalfeasance-butnoparentintheirrightmindwillvoicethesefears.)Thismuchwasclearfromthebeginning:Iwasonlygoingtoflyasfarasthewingsofactorswouldtakeme.

Idon’tknowhowactorswork.Ihaveneveractedmyself(beyondacoupleofschoolplays)norstudiedacting.Ihaveonlyadaydreamer’sideaofthekindofthingsactorsmustdotodeveloproles-theconversationstheymighthavewiththemselves,theunnervingrealizationsthatmaycomeastheysearchinacharacter’ssoulforthemselves.Nothinghumancanbeforeigntothem.

AnnetteBeningspeaksofthescreenplay,oftherepercussionsofanyaction,oftherootsofeveryemotion,withsuchclear-headedauthoritythatit’sfascinatingformetostandinmyownsetandlearnaboutcharactersthatIthoughtIhadwritten.That’samesmerizingpartoftheprocess:todiscoverthat’showKarenmovesandthat’showshetalksanddressesandlaughsandlives.Wow,lookatthat,that’sKarenrightthere,righthere,now.WheredidAnnettefindtimeforthis?She’sraisingfourchildrenandhasacareerinthetheatreandisdevelopingotherfilmprojectsandhassiblingsandparentsandahusbandwithabigworldandisservingontheboardoftheAcademyandplanningatriptoIran.AndshemustalsoneedtimetotendtoAnnette,tospendtimewithAnnetteintheroomsthatwillneverbeopentoanyonebutAnnette.(EdithWhartoncalledtheserooms“theholiestofholy”.MaybeKarenwasallowedtovisit.)WasAnnettethinkingaboutKarenwhilebrushinghair,turningofflights,pickingupashoe,wipingtears?DuringtheshootIaskedyou,Annette,iflater,monthslater,youcouldtellmehowyoucametoKaren.NowIdon’twanttoknow.Don’ttellmehowyoucametomapsucharemarkablypreciseandmovingjourneyforKaren’sfeelings,tofindsuchcompassionateunderstandingforherpricklinessandfrustration.Pleasedon’tshowmethecompartmentwheretherabbitishidden.

We’reinthehouseofthemotherofafriendofafriendinNewYork,monthsbeforeprincipalphotography,shootingashotofElizabethwatchingNaomiWatts’expectantbelly.I’vemetNaomionlyoncebefore,fordinner.Nowshearrivesinpregnantsplendourandseeminglyatease.Isoondiscoverthatshehasadelightfullybawdysenseofhumourandthatshe’sbothagirl’sgirlandaboy’sgirl.WetalkalittlebetweenlightingsetupsaboutElizabeth,butwhenIsensesheislisteningtomewithmoreattentionthanI’mcomfortablewithIpullbackandlistentoher.Nothingworsethanactorsactingwiththedirector’svoiceintheirhead.Butmyfearsarenotjustified.It’sclearhalfayearlater,duringproductionproper,thatNaomihasdevelopedherownElizabeth.Idon’taskwhosheis.IwatchherElizabethunfoldinfrontofmyeyes,movinginherworldwithferalautonomy,withharddisciplineandnakedambition-aswellaswithdisguisedfrailtyandfear.YourElizabeth,Naomi,dangerousandheartbreaking,isabsolutelyendearingtome.Youdoveintoherheadfirst.(Ifthereistrepidation-andthere’salwaysplentywithartistsofthiscalibre-Icanhardlyseeit).Theroleisphysicallydemandingandinvolvesnudityandemotionaloutburstsandthedaysarelong.Naomiisfunnyandshemakesuslaugh.She’snursingasix-week-oldbabyandtendingtoatwo-year-old.Sheconfessesthatshesometimesdaydreamsaboutathird.

AftershootingthebellyshotsinNewYorktheownerofthehouseasksmewhatthemovieisabout.“Itoowasbornwhenmymotherwasfourteen,”shesays,“andshegavemeupforadoption.BythetimeIwasanadultandIfinallytrackedherdownshehadpassedaway.”Naomilistensinsilence,betrayingnothing.AswithAnnette,Naomi’slinkstotheheartofElizabethareamysterytome.Amysterylikeadrug.

IwanttobeKerryWashingtonfortwenty-fourhoursbutnotfortwenty-five.Attwenty-fivehoursmywheelswouldcomeoff:amoviecareerwithrange,politicalwork(afearsomedebater!),charitywork,thefriendshipofworldleaders,aninterestinpracticallyeverything,directing,endorsements,travel,afunlovingpersonwhoisapeoplepersonandcomfortableinherownskin-moreweightthanevenamanwithmyframecouldcarry-Kerrycarriesitallwithoutbreakingasweat-allthewhiledoingthehardworkofanartist.Onwhatflight,inwhathotelroom,beforewhattelevisionappearance,inbetweenactsofwhatplayreadingdidyoudreamyourdreamsofLucy?YoutaughtmethatLucywaspetitbourgeoisandaperfectionistandthatherdesperationcouldbefunnyandherfearsoffailureagonyandherpainprofound.Afterthelongwindingroadherhappydestinyis,thankstoyou,Kerry,completelyearnedandsatisfyingtome.

Themostdespicablethingwehaveinourfilmworldisitsconventionalwisdom.Apartofitisthebeliefthatactorsarevainandinsecureanddemanding.Somearethat,asaresometaxidriversandsurgeonsI’veknown.Notmuchissaidofwhatweaskofactors:tostandinfrontofothersandundressanddisplaytheirskinforacharacter-thebeautybutalsothebruises-thescent,fungus,abrasions,goosebumps-thelandscapeoffleshexposedtodirectsunlight.Nakednesslikethatisthestuffofanightmaretome.Often,whenactorsdoandsaythethingsthatIwrote,Icringeandretractintheshadowsbehindthecamera,hopingthatnoonewilllookatmeatthatmomentandrealizethatKaren/AnnetteandElizabeth/NaomiandLucy/KerryandPaul/SamandPaco/JimmyaresoclosetomethatI’mblushingwithshame.ThankstothemIcanindulgemydreamsofstorytellingandoflivingotherlives.HowelseamIgoingtolearnwhatit’sliketobeanotherhumanbeing?

Maybethere’saneasierway.Iaskmydaughterwhatit’sliketobeagirloften.Thequestionannoysherandsheshootsrightback:it’sthesameasbeingamanofforty-nine,Dad.

Duh!

RODRIGOGARCIA(WRITER/DIRECTOR)Q&A

Q:Youbothwroteanddirectedthisfilm.Whichprocessdoyouenjoymore?

Writingisharderforme.Moreriddledwithinsecurity.Isthisgoodenough,differentenough,suspensefulenough,humanenough,realenough?DoIevenlikeit?Willgoodactorsbeinterested?Themanyversionsoftherealmonster,whocares?Ofcoursewhenit’sgoingwell,there’snothinglikeit.Itmakesmefeelsrefinedandgood.Mostofthetimeit’saslogthatfuelsselfcontempt.

Directingismorephysicallydemanding.Myproblemthenisnotisolation,buttheopposite,constantinteraction.Overdosingonpeople.Havingtopretendthatyou’rethedirector.Buttoseewhatyouimaginedinthelonelinessofyourdesklateatnightliveandbreatheinfrontofyouisintoxicating.

Q:Howdidthefilmgetofftheground?Whatwastheprocessingettingthefilmmade?

Itwasamanyprongedapproach.(Oristhatamanyprayerapproach?)AlejandroGonzálezIñárritusentthescripttoNaomiWattsandencouragedhertodoitwhileJulieLynnbeganthesearchforfunding,othercastmembersandafirstratecrew.AninitialoffertoAnnetteBeningdidnotpanoutbecauseofothercommitmentsandthatwasabigdisappointment.Wehadflirtationswithstudios,butthethreatsofstrikescompromisedthat.WegotKerryWashingtononboardatthispoint,butthenNaomibecamepregnantandwedecidedtopostponeandwaitforher.(Thatwepostponedbecauseshewaspregnantweallthoughtwouldbringusgoodluck,giventhenatureofthematerial).WaitingforhercontributedtoAnnettebecomingavailableagain,andthenSamandJimmysignedon.Thatwasagreathigh,thecastthatlinedup.CherryJones!Finally,whenwehadeverythingintheworldbutfinancing,LisaFalconeandTomHellerofEverestEntertainmentsteppedinandmadeitpossible.WestEndinLondonalsowasverysupportivewithforeignpre-sales.

Q:Whatwasthemostdifficultscenetoshoot?

Iwentintomostofthemscaredandwasateaserightafterthefirstrehearsal.Soallofthem,thennone.IsupposethescenewithyoungKarenandyoungTomfilledmewithapprehensionmorethanothers.Fourteen-year-oldsmakingout.Really?Ihavetodirectthat?Theirseriousnessandprofessionalismsavedmybehind.

Q:Whatisyourfavouritesceneinthefilm?

I’veneverworkedonanythingthathassomanyscenesthatI’mhappywith.Herearethree:

-WhenKarenfindsoutwhathermotherreallythoughtabouther.

-WhenPaulofferstheworldtoElizabeth.

-WhenLucyintroducesherselfandherhusbandandtheirdreamstoSisterJoanneattheadoptionagency.

Q:Wheredidyoushootthefilmandhowlongwastheshoot?

WeshotinlocationsinandaroundLosAngelesfor29days.

Q:Manyofyourfilmsarecanteredonwomen,withmenplayingsecondfiddle.Whatisitaboutwomenthatyoufindsofascinating?

EversinceIbegantowrite,mywomencharactershavebeenmorecomplexthanthemen,butIdon’tknowwhy.Sincemymoviesarenotessentiallyaboutwomenbutaboutsubjectsthatinterestme,thesexofthecharactersisnotalwaysthatimportanttome.LikeanyfilmmakerIusethestrongesttoolsthatIhave,andfemalecharactersareit.JasonIsaacssaidtomethatIwriteaboutwomenbecauseitfreesmetowriteaboutemotionalsubjectsmoreemotionally.Ilikewomenandfemininethings.Anythingfromthegregariousnatureofwomentopregnancytoawoman’sfacetryingtopickout

clothingorseeingahandsomeman.Howtheylovetheirlovedonesandhowtheydriveeachothercrazy.Thewaystheypursuethethingstheywant.OfcourseIdon’treallyknowwhatthey’rethinking-butwhatfuntoimagineit.

ABOUTTHECAST

NaomiWatts(ELIZABETH)

NaomiWattsisanaccomplishedactress,consistentlyreceivingravereviewsandaccoladesforhermanyperformances.In2004,shewashonouredwithanAcademyAwardnominationforBestActressforherroleinAlejandroGonzalesIñárritu’s“21Grams”.

Herperformancein“21Grams”,inwhichshestarredalongsideSeanPennandBenicioDelToro,alsogarneredBestActressAwardsfromtheLosAngelesFilmCriticsAssociation,South-easternFilmCriticsAssociation,WashingtonAreaFilmCriticsandSanDiegoFilmCritics,aswellasBestActressnominationsfromtheSAGAwards,BAFTAs,BroadcastFilmCriticsandGoldenSatellites.Atthefilm’spremiereatthe2003VeniceInternationalFilmFestival,shereceivedtheAudienceAward(LionofthePublic)forBestActress.

WattsrecentlystarredinTomTwyker’s“TheInternational”oppositeCliveOwen,aswellasDavidCronenberg’sdrama/thriller“EasternPromises”oppositeViggoMortensenandMichaelHaneke’sthriller“FunnyGames”.SherecentlycompletedproductiononDougLiman’s“FairGame”whereshestarsalongsideSeanPenn.HernextprojectistheUntitledWoodyAllenLondonProjectwhereshewillstaralongsideanallstarcastincludingAntonioBanderas,JoshBrolinandAnthonyHopkins.

WattshashadanimpressivelistofmoviessinceheracclaimeddebutinDavidLynch’scontroversialdrama“MullhollandDrive”,inwhichsheearnedBestActressAwardsfromanumberofcritics’organizations,includingtheNationalBoardofReviewandNationalSocietyofFilmCritics. Inadditiontostarringas‘AnnDarrow’inPeterJackson’sepicremakeof“KingKong”;hercreditsinclude“WeDon’tLiveHereAnymore”,inwhichshestarredandproduced;“TheAssassinationofRichardNixon”oppositeSeanPennandDonCheadle;DavidORussell’s“I(Heart)Huckabees”withJudeLawandDustinHoffman;MarcForster’s“Stay”oppositeEwanMcGregorandRyanGosling;GoreVerbinski’s“TheRing”andthesequel“TheRing2”;Merchant-Ivory’s“LeDivorce”alongsideKateHudson,GlennCloseandStockardChanning;andJohnCurran’s“ThePaintedVeil”oppositeEdwardNorton,whichwasbasedonWSomersetMaugham’snovel.

BorninEngland,WattsmovedtoAustraliaattheageof14andbeganstudyingacting.HerfirstmajorfilmrolecameinJohnDuigan’s“Flirting”.Sheproducedandstarredintheshortfilm“EllieParker”,whichscreenedincompetitionatthe2001SundanceFilmFestival. In2005,afulllengthfeatureoftheshortdebutedatSundance.

Amonghermanyawardsandrecognitions,WattsreceivedtheMontecitoAwardfromtheSantaBarbaraFilmFestivalin2006forherrolein“KingKong”;washonouredbythePalmSpringsFilmFestivalin2003for“21Grams”;andin2002,shewasnamedtheFemaleStarofTomorrowatShoWestandreceivedtheBreakthroughActingAwardattheHollywoodFilmFestival,bothfor“MullhollandDrive.”

WattscurrentlyresidesinLosAngelesandNewYork.

AnnetteBening(KAREN)

AnnetteBeningwasmostrecentlyseenonthebigscreeninwriter-directorDianeEnglish’sremakeof“TheWomen”,starringalongsideMegRyan,EvaMendesandJadaPinkett-Smith.Priortothat,Shestarredinthe2006film“RunningwithScissors”forwhichshewasnominatedforaGoldenGlobeAward.HernextfilmisoppositeJulianneMooreandMarkRuffaloin“TheKidsAreAllRight.”

Annettewas‘JuliaLambert’in“BeingJulia”forSonyPicturesClassics,therolethatearnedtheactressherthirdOscarnomination.Forthatperformance,shewasalsonamedtheNationalBoardofReview’s“BestActress,”wontheGoldenGlobeawardfor“BestActressinaMotionPicture-Musical/Comedy,”andreceivedaSAGnominationfor“BestActress.”Shealsostarredin“MrsHarris”withBenKingsleyforHBO,earninganEmmy,SAG,andGoldenGlobenomination.

Anaward-winningstageactress,Beninghasspentmuchofhertimeinfrontofthemoviecamera.Shestarredinthecriticallyacclaimedfilm“AmericanBeauty,”forwhichshereceivedbothanAcademyAwardnominationandaGoldenGlobenominationfor“BestActress/Drama”.HerperformanceinthefilmearnedheraScreenActorsGuildAwardandtheBAFTA(BritishAcademy)Award.HerotherfilmcreditsincludeNeilJordan’s“InDreams,”and“TheSiege,”oppositeDenzelWashingtonandBruceWillis.

BeningwashonouredattheBoston,PalmSpringsandChicagoFilmFestivalswithLifetimeAchievementAwards,aswellasreceivingtheDonostiaPrizeattheSanSebastianInternationalFilmFestival.Shewonthe“ActressoftheYear”awardattheHollywoodFilmFestival,andreceivedtheMontecitoAwardattheSantaBarbaraFilmFestival.

ShereceivedherfirstAcademyAwardnominationandwasnamed“BestSupportingActress”bytheNationalBoardofReviewforherrolein“TheGrifters.”ShealsoreceivedaGoldenGlobenominationfor“BestActress/MusicalorComedy”forherstarringroleinRobReiner’s“TheAmericanPresident,”oppositeMichaelDouglas.BeningalsohadsupportingrolesinTimBurton’s“MarsAttacks!”,andinSirIanMcKellen’sfilmadaptationofShakespeare’s“RichardIII.”

Her other film credits include “Love Affair” with Warren Beatty, and Barry Levinson’s “Bugsy,” also opposite Beatty, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actress,” “Regarding Henry” with Harrison Ford and directed by Mike Nichols, “Guilty By Suspicion,” opposite Robert DeNiro, Milos Forman’s “Valmont,” and “Postcard From The Edge.” Beningmadeherfeaturefilmdebutinthecomedy“TheGreatOutdoors,”withDanAykroydandthelateJohnCandy.

Bening’stheatrecreditsincludetheAntonChekhovplay“TheCherryOrchard”atLosAngeles’MarkTaperForumin2006,andAlanBennett’s“TalkingHeads,”attheTiffanyTheatreinLosAngeles.ShealsoplayedthetitleroleinHenrikIbsen’s“HeddaGabler”inMarch1999atLosAngeles’GeffenPlayhouse.ShewillnextappearonstageinMedeaatUCLA,andinTheFemaleoftheSpecies,alsoattheGeffenPlayhouse.

BorninTopeka,KansasandraisedinSanDiego,Beningwasenrolledatalocalcollegewhenshegotajobasadancerinapre-showpresentedoutsideofSanDiego’sfamedOldGlobeTheatre.Thisledtoawalk-oninaShakespeareanproduction,thistimeinsidethetheatre,andtwoplayswiththeSanDiegoRepertoryTheatre.

BeninggraduatedfromSanFranciscoStateUniversityandwasacceptedbytheAmericanConservatoryTheatreinSanFrancisco,whereshetraineduntilshejoinedtheactingcompany.ShealsoappearedinbothsummerShakespeareanfestivalsandregionalproductionsuntilhercareertookhertoNewYork.There,BeningreceivedbothaTonyAwardnominationandwontheClarenceDerwentAwardformostoutstandingdebutperformanceoftheseasonforherrolein“CoastalDisturbances,”originallyattheSecondStage,thenonBroadway.

KerryWashington(LUCY)

Winnerof“OutstandingActressinaMotionPicture”for“Ray”attheNAACPImageAwardsin2005andNominatedforanIndependentSpiritAwardfor“BestActress”inthefilmLiftin2002,KerryWashingtonisaversatile,talentedandfearlessactresswhohasbuiltanimpressivelistofcreditsinarelativelyshortamountoftime.Shegarneredcriticalacclaimforherrecentrolesin“TheLastKingofScotland”oppositeForestWhitakerforwhichshewasnominatedfor“OutstandingSupportingActressinaMotionPicture”attheNAACPImageAwardsin2007,“TheDeadGirl”oppositeMarciaGayHardenandBrittanyMurphy,andin“LakeviewTerrace”starringoppositeSamuelLJacksonandPatrickWilson.Kerrywillnextbeseenin“AThousandWords”oppositeEddieMurphy.

Priortothesefilms,WashingtonstarredasAliciaMastersin“FantasticFour”anditssequel“RiseoftheSilverSurfer”,“IThinkILoveMyWife”oppositeChrisRock,theWayansBrothers’comedy“LittleMan”,“MrandMrsSmith”,starringBradPittandAngelinaJolie,SpikeLee’s“SheHateMe”,SidneyLumet’sHBOfilm“StripSearch”andtheindependentfilm“SexualLife”.

OtherfilmcreditsforWashingtoninclude“AgainsttheRopes”,“TheUnitedStatesofLeland”,“TheHumanStain”,“BadCompany”,“SavetheLastDance”forwhichshereceivedaTeenChoiceAwardforBestBreakoutPerformance,andthehighlyacclaimedindependentfilm,“OurSong”.

InDecember2009,WashingtonwillbemakingherBroadwaydebutinDavidMamet’snewplay‘Race’alongsideJamesSpaderandRichardThomas.

InTV,WashingtonwillbeseeninHowardZinn’sdocumentary“ThePeopleSpeak”,alongwithMattDamon,JoshBrolinandSeanPenn,whichairsontheHistoryChannelinDecember2009.

Duringherfreetime,WashingtonisanactivememberontheBoardofDirectorsforTheCreativeCoalition,agroupdedicatedtoraisingawarenessofFirstAmendmentRightsandsupportofartsineducation,andisaCommitteeMemberofAmericansfortheArts,whichisthenation'sleadingnon-profitorganizationforadvancingtheartsinAmerica. SheisalsoamemberoftheV-Counsel,anesteemedgroupofadvisorstoV-Day,theglobalmovementtoendviolenceagainstwomenandgirls(vday.org).

WashingtoniscurrentlyaspokespersonforbothL’OrealParisandMovado.

SamuelLJackson(PAUL)

RespectfullylabelledasoneofthehardestworkingactorsinHollywood,JacksonmadeanindeliblemarkonAmericancinemawithhisportrayalof‘Jules’,thephilosophizingassassin,inQuentinTarantino’s“PulpFiction.”Inadditiontounanimouscriticalacclaimforhisperformance,hereceivedAcademyAwardandGoldenGlobenominationsasBestSupportingActoraswellasaBestSupportingActorawardfromtheBritishAcademyofFilmandTelevisionArts.

InFall2009,JacksonwillbeginfilmingthebigscreenadaptationofCormacMcCarthy’splay“SunsetLimited”co-starringanddirectedbyTommyLeeJones.In2008,Jackson’sfilmsincludedtheNeilLaButethriller,“LakeviewTerrace,”whichpremieredattheDeauvilleFilmFestival,followedbytheDimensionStudioscomedy“SoulMen,”alongsidethelateBernieMac.HemostrecentlystarredintheFrankMilleractiondrama“TheSpirit,”inwhichheportrayedthenemesis,“Octopus.”

Jacksonrecentlycompletedfilmingthedrama“Unthinkable,”directedbyGregorJordan,co-starringMichaelSheen,whichhasbeenslatedforFallofthisyear.

Jackson made a surprise cameo appearance in the 2008 blockbuster hit, “Iron Man” and has signed on to reprise the Marvel character “Nick Fury” in “Iron Man 2” (the head of “SHIELD”) and signed with marvel for an unprecedented nine picture deal to includes “Thor,” “Captain America,” “SHIELD” among others. HealsostarredintheDougLimandirectedsci-fi,actionfilm,“Jumper.”

In2007,Jacksonhadastarringroleintheacclaimeddrama“ResurrectingtheChamp,”andaco-starringroleintheverysuccessfulhorrorfilmfortheWeinsteinCo.,“1408,”basedontheStephenKingnovel.Earlierthatyear,JacksonstarredintheCraigBrewerfilm“BlackSnakeMoan,”andIrwinWinkler’sMGMwardrama“HomeoftheBrave.”In2006,JacksonstarredinNewLine’s“SnakesonaPlane,”directedbyDavidEllis,ahorror/dramafilm.JacksonalsostarredoppositeJulianneMooreinRevolutionStudio’s“Freedomland,”directedbyJoeRoth,basedonthebestsellingnovelofthesamename.Healsoappearedas‘AgentDerrickVann’inNewLine’s“TheMan,”oppositeEugeneLevy.

In2005,Jacksonreprisedhisroleas‘AgentAugustusGibbons’in“XXX:StateoftheUnion”andas‘MaceWindu’in“StarWars:EpisodeIII-TheRevengeoftheSith.”In2004,Jackson“appeared”asthecharacter‘Frozone’intheDisneyanimatedaction-adventurefilm,“TheIncredibles”.

Jacksonhasalsostarredin“SWAT”forColumbiaTri-Star;alongsideBenAffleckinParamount’s“ChangingLanes”;starredandexecutiveproducedtheSony/ScreenGemsfilm“Formula51,”withRobertCarlyle;co-starredinthesci-fithriller,“XXX”;andreprisedhisroleas‘MaceWindu’inthesecondinstalmentofGeorgeLucas’“StarsWarsEpisodeII:AttackoftheClones.”

In2001,Jacksonstarredandexecutive“Caveman’sValentine.”ThiswasJackson’ssecondprojectwithKasiLemmonswiththefirstbeingtheapplauded,“Eve’sBayou,”whichhealsoproducedin1997.In2000,Jacksonco-starredoppositeBruceWillisinwriter/directorMNightShyamalan’ssuspensedrama,“Unbreakable”forDisney;JohnSingleton’s“Shaft”inthetitleroleoppositeChristianBaleandVanessaWilliams;thecourtroomdrama“RulesofEngagement”.In1999,JacksonstarredinWarnerBros.“DeepBlueSea”fordirectorRennyHarlin.JacksonalsomadeacameoappearanceinGeorgeLucas’highlysuccessfulandpopular“StarWarsEpisodeOne:ThePhantomMenace.”

In1997,Jacksonstarredin“JackieBrown,”hissecondfilmwithdirectorQuentinTarantino.JacksonstarredinJoelSchumacher’s1996filmoftheJohnGrishamnovel,“ATimetoKill.”HealsostarredoppositeBruceWillisin“DieHardwithaVengeance,”thetop-grossingmovieinternationallyin1995.

In1991,JacksonmademoviehistorywithhisportrayalofacrackaddictinSpikeLee’s“JungleFever”whenhewasawardedthefirstandonlyBestSupportingPerformanceAwardevergivenbythejudgesattheCannesFilmFestival.

JimmySmits(PACO)

Provingthatversatilityisasimportantasskillintheactingprofession,JimmySmitshasbuiltacareerthatallowshimtomoveeffortlesslybetweenfilm,televisionandstage.TheEmmyAwardandGoldenGlobewinningactorcontinuestoeffectivelynavigatetowardshisgoalofmakingqualitytelevisionandfilm.Herecentlycompletedhiscritically-acclaimedroleasAssistantDistrictAttorneyMiguelPradoinSeason3ofShowtime’shitseries“Dexter.”

Smitsrecentlyaddedproducingtohislistofaccomplishments.HisElSenderoProductionsco-executiveproducedtherecentCBSseries,“Cane,”inwhichhealsostarred.

Smits’filmographyincludessuchearlyworksasPeterHyams’“RunningScared”withGregoryHinesandBillyCrystal;JohnSchlesinger’s“TheBelievers;”“OldGringo”withGregoryPeckandJaneFonda;BlakeEdwards’comedy“Switch;”andthecriticallyacclaimed“MyFamily/MiFamilia,”directedbyGregoryNava,forwhichhereceivedanIFPSpiritAwardnomination. Smits’laterworksincludeCarlosÁvila’s“PriceofGlory;”ChuckRussell’sthriller“BlesstheChild;”GeorgeLucas’“StarWarsII:AttackoftheClones”and“StarWars:EpisodeIII-RevengeoftheSith,”andRobinSwicord’s“TheJaneAustenBookClub.”

Smitshasaspecialfondnessforthetheatre,havingbeenbornclosetoBroadway,thehomeofNewYorktheatre. Hisintroductionintoactingwasthetheatreanditalwayscallstohishearttoreturnhome.HestarredonBroadwayin2004astheromanticnewarrivalinaCuban-AmericancigarfactoryinNiloCruz’sPulitzerPrize-winningplay“AnnaintheTropics,”proceededbyNewYorkPublicTheatre’s“ShakespeareinthePark”presentationsof“MuchAdoAboutNothing”(2004)and“TwelfthNight”(2002),aswellasanumberofoff-Broadwayandregionaltheatreproductions.

Inadditiontohisworkonthestageandonthescreen,Smitshasenjoyedanexemplarytelevisioncareer.In2006,Smitscompletedhisroleinthelong-runningandcritically-acclaimedNBCseries“TheWestWing.”AsPresidentMatthewSantos,Smitsbroughttotheshowhisowninfusionofenergyandaddedevenmoredepthtothewell-writtenandpoliticallyrelevantplotline.SmitswasalsoseeninHBO’smultipleaward-winningtelevisionmovie“LackawannaBlues,”GeorgeCWolfe'scolourfultaleofboardinghouselife,loveandbluesin1950’sNewYork.Othertelevisioncreditsinclude“TheBrokenCord,”“TheTommyknockers,”“TheCiscoKid”and“MarshalLaw.”

HereceivedsixconsecutiveEmmynominationsforhisroleasVictorSifuenteson“L.A.Law,”winningtheEmmyin1990,andalsofiveEmmynominationsforhisroleasBobbySimoneonthecriticallyacclaimed,Emmy-winningdrama,“NYPDBlue.”Additionally,hereceivedanALMAAwardandanImagenAwardforBestActorin“WestWing,”hasfourGoldenGlobenominations-winningasanActorinaLeadingRole,DramaSeries,in1996forhisrolein“NYPDBlue”-andeightSAGAwardnominations.Hishighlytouteddeparturefrom“NYPDBlue”alsowontheHumanitasAward.

AsecondgenerationAmerican,SmitsisanativeofBrooklynandtraceshisrootstoPuertoRicoaswellasSurinam,SouthAmericaonhismother’sandfather’ssidesofthefamily,respectively.

Inhisfreetime,Smitshasinvolvedhimselfinvariouscharitableorganizationsovertheyearsandhasconsistentlybeenastrongadvocateforeducation. In1997,heco-foundedtheNationalHispanicFoundationfortheArts(NHFA),alongwithactorsEsaiMoralesandSoniaBragaandWashingtonattorneyFelixSanchez,topromoteHispanictalentintheperformingarts.Theorganization,whichjustcelebratedits10thAnniversary,offersgraduatescholarshipsandcashgrantsatprominentcollegesanduniversitiesinordertoexpandcareeropportunitiesandincreaseaccessforHispanicartistsandprofessionalswhilefosteringtheemergenceofnewHispanictalent.OtherorganizationsSmitsisinvolvedwithincludeRedCross,NewYorkCares,ColorectalCancer,StJude’sFoundation,TheFulfilmentFund,UnitedWayandmore.

SEpathaMerkerson(ADA)

AnEmmy,GoldenGlobeandSAGAwardwinner,SEpathaMerkersonhaswoncriticalacclaimforherbrilliantworkintheatre,televisionandfilm.

Merkerson,currentlyinproductiononher17thseasonoftheperennialhitseriesLAWANDORDER,receiveda2006NAACPImageAwardand2007,2008and2009NAACPImageAwardNominationforherportrayalofLieutenantAnitaVanBuren.

StarringintheHBOfilmLACKAWANNABLUESasRachel“Nanny”CrosbyMsMerkersonalsogarnereda2006NAACPImageAward,aGracieAllenAwardandanIFPSpiritnomination.Otherfilmcreditsinclude:THERISINGPLACE,RADIO(CammieAward),JERSEYGIRL,RANDOMHEARTS,TERMINATORII:JUDGEMENTDAY,JACOBSLADDER,NAVYSEALSandLOOSECANNONSandBLACKSNAKEMOANwithSamuelLJackson,ChristinaRicciandJustinTimberlake.ShewasalsoseenintheindependentfilmSLIPSTREAMwrittenanddirectedbyAnthonyHopkins.

Merkersonhasco-starredinnumeroustelevisionmoviesincludingGIRL,POSITIVE(forwhichsheisnominatedfora2008NAACPImageAward),AMOTHER'SPRAYERwithLindaHamilton,ANUNEXPECTEDLIFEandIT'SAGIRLTHINGwithStockardChanning,andAPLACEFORANNIEwithMary-LouiseParkerandSissySpacek.In1998,shereprisedherroleasLt.AnitaVanBurenfortheNBCmovieEXILEDwithChrisNoth.

OnstageMerkersonhasperformedOnandOffBroadwayinproductionsincludingSuzanLori-Parks'F**KINGA(LucilleLortelnominationforOutstandingLeadActress);AugustWilson'sPulitzerPrize-winningplayPIANOLESSON(Tony,DramaDeskandHelenHayesnominationsforBestActress);theYoungPlaywrightsFestival'sproductionofI'MNOTSTUPID(ObieAward);THEOLDSETTLER(HelenHayesAward),andCherylWest's'playBIRDIEBLUE(ObieAward,LucilleLortelnominationforOutstandingLeadActressandDramaLeagueDistinguishedPerformanceAward).

AnativeofDetroitMichigan,MerkersonreceivedaBachelorofFineArtsdegreefromWayneStateUniversity.

ShelivesinNewYorkCity.

CherryJones(SISTERJOANNE)

Broadwayproductions:Doubt,TheHeiress,ImaginaryFriends,MajorBarbara,AMoonfortheMisbegotten,OurCountry’sGoodandAngelsinAmerica.Off-Broadwayandregionalcredits:Doubt,FleshBlood,Pride’sCrossing,TheBaltimoreWaltz,NightoftheIguana,TheGoodPersonSetzuanand25productionsasacompanymemberoftheAmericanRepertoryTheatre,includingTwelfthNight,TheThreeSisters,TheCaucasianChalkCircleandLysistrata.Filmcredits:Oceans12,TheVillage,Signs,Swimmers,CradleWillRock,ErinBrockovich,TheHorseWhisperer,ThePerfectStorm,DivineSecretsoftheYa-YaSisterhoodandtheLifetimeTelevisionmovie“WhatMakesaFamily.”AwardsincludetwoTonys,anObie,twoJosephJeffersons,twoDramaDesks,twoOuterCriticsCircles,theSidneyKingsley,theLucilleLortel,theElliottNortonandtheDramaLeague.MissJonesisanativeofParis,Tennessee,agraduateofCarnegieMellonUniversityandaproudmemberofEquitysince1978.

ABOUTTHECREW

RodrigoGarcia(WRITER/DIRECTOR)

RodrigoGarciawasborninColombiaandgrewupinMexicoCity.Hiscreditsasdirectorofphotographyinclude“Danzon”(dir.byMariaNovaro);“MiVidaLoca”(dir.byAllisonAnders)and“Gia”(dir.byMichaelCristofer).

Hisfeaturesaswriteranddirectorare“ThingsYouCanTellJustByLookingatHer”(FondationGanAward,Cannes2000),“TenTinyLoveStories”,“FathersandSons”and“NineLives”(WinnerLocarnoFilmFestival,2005).

MrGarciaalsodirectedfortheseries“SixFeetUnder”and“TheSopranos”.Hedirectedthepilotepisodesoftheseries“Carnivale”and“SixDegrees”,andwasnominatedforanEmmyforhisdirectionofthepilotfor“BigLove”.

MrGarciamostrecentlydirected21episodesofthefirstseasonofHBO'sacclaimedhalf-hourdrama“InTreatment”,andalsoservedasWriter,ExecutiveProducerandShowrunnerfortheproject.MrGarciaalsodirectedthefeaturefilm“Passengers”,starringAnneHathawayandPatrickWilson.MrGarciamostrecentlywroteanddirectedtheshortfilm,“TiredofBeingFunny”,starringJohn

MahoneyandLiliTaylor.

JulieLynn(PRODUCER)

JulieLynnformedMockingbirdPicturesinthesummerof1999.

PriortoitsnewestfilmMotherandChild,otherMockingbirdreleasesinclude:RodrigoGarcia’sPassengerswithAnneHathawayandPatrickWilson;RobinSwicord’sTheJaneAustenBookClubwithMariaBello,EmilyBlunt,andHughDancy;BradSilberling’s10ItemsorLesswithMorganFreemanandPazVega;theRodrigoGarcia/JaredRappaport/RobSperatriptychFathersandSons;andMrGarcia’sNineLiveswithGlennClose,HollyHunter,SissySpacek,andRobinWrightPenn.

MockingbirdproductionshavepremieredattheSundanceandTorontoFilmFestivals,andhavebeennominatedformultipleIndependentSpiritAwards.

Earlierinhercareer,Lynnco-producedSteveJames’sJoeandMax,aswellasHBO’spresentationofMargaretEdson’sPulitzerPrize-winningplayWIT,directedbyMikeNicholsandstarringEmmaThompson,whichwentontowinThePeabody,TheHumanitas,TheChristopher,andthreeEmmyAwards,including“BestPicture.”LynnalsosupervisedthehorseracesonGaryRoss’sAcademyAward-nominatedSeabiscuitforKennedy/Marshall,DreamWorks,andUniversalPictures.

Astimeallows,LynnservesasastoryconsultantforPixarAnimationStudios.

Previously,LynnspentthreeyearsasVicePresidentfortheFreshProduceCompany,andpriortothatshewasCreativeExecutiveforOscar-winningproducerMarkJohnson.

BeforemovingtoLA.,LynnpracticedlawattheThomasJeffersonCentrefortheProtectionofFreeExpression.ShereceivedherJDfromtheUniversityofVirginia’sLawSchoolandaBAfromitsCollegeofArtsandSciences.LynnismarriedtoDougSmith,anauthorandprofessorofAmericanHistory.Theyhavetwochildren,ZoeandJack.

LisaMariaFalcone(PRODUCER)

LisaMariaFalconefoundedEverestEntertainmentin2008todevelophighqualitycontentbasedonstrongwriting,complexcharactersandmeaningfulsubjects.

BornandraisedinNewYorkCity’sSpanishHarlem,Lisahasalwaysbeenpassionateaboutthecreativearts,despiteherlackofopportunitiestopursuetheseinterestswhilegrowingup.ForthatreasonLisa,whoreceivedhercollegeeducationinFineArts,isespeciallyinterestedinfindingandshowcasingtalentthatmightotherwisenotbediscovered.Heruniquepathinlifehasledhertoseekoutandsupportthosewithcreativevision,passionanddedication.

Wellknownforherphilanthropicwork,LisasitsontheBoardoftheNewYorkCityBallettheDiller-QuailleSchoolofMusic,servedasChairwomanofnumerousgalas,includingtheMuseumofNaturalHistory,andactsasamajordonorandadvocatefor‘FriendsoftheHighLine’,theorganizationdedicatedtodevelopingNewYork’sfirstelevatedpublicpark.

LisaMaria,andhusbandPhiliparetheproudparentsoftwindaughters.MotherChildisthefirstfilmbyEverestEntertainment.

XavierPérezGrobet(DIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHY)

Mexican-borncinematographerXavierPérezGrobet’scareerisasdiverseasitisimpressive.Hiscreditsspanthegamutofgenres,workingbetweentheUnitedStatesandMexico.HerecentlyshotdirectorAlanPoul’sTheBack-UpPlan,starringJenniferLopez.

Hisotherfeaturesinclude:directorsGlennFicarraandJohnRequa’sILoveyouPhillipMorris,starringJimCarreyandEwanMcGregor,whichopensFeb.12,2010;CityofEmberfordirectorGilKenan(MonsterHouse);MarcLawrence’sMusicLyrics,starringDrewBarrymoreandHughGrant;andtheJackBlackvehicleNachoLibreforwriter/directorJaredHess.

GrobetmovedtoLosAngelesafterthesuccessofSexo,pudorylágrimas(Sex,ShameTears)in1999.Distributedby20thCenturyFox,itwentontobecomethethirdhighestgrossingMexicanfilmthatyear.Afterrelocating,GrobetshotseveralincreasinglypowerfulprojectslikeTheWoodsman,whichgarneredthreeIndependentSpiritAwardnominationsandmuchpraisefromcriticsnationwide.HefollowedthiswithRodrigoGarcia’sNineLivesandSony’sMonsterHouseforproducersRobertZemeckisandStevenSpielberg.

ThebigbreakinGrobet’scareercamewhenhelearnedaboutaplannedmoviebasedonthetruestoryofexiledCubannovelistandpoetReinaldoArenas,asdocumentedinhismemoirs.Havingreadthebookandfalleninlovewiththestory,Grobetapproachedthebrilliant,eccentricartistanddirector,JulianSchnabel.Theresulting2000releaseofBeforeNightFallsfeaturedJohnnyDeppandSeanPenn.Thefilmwentontocollectnumerousawardsandnominations,includinganOscar™nominationforBestActor(JavierBardem)andaBestCinematographynominationatthe2001IndependentSpiritAwards.

StevenWeisberg(EDITOR)

StevenWeisbergistheesteemededitorofHarryPotter:PrisonerofAzkaban,GreatExpectations,LittlePrincess,NurseBetty,TheProducers,MeninBlack2,TheCableGuy,Mistress,andPermanentMidnight.HeiscurrentlyeditingMorningGloryforRogerMichell.

ChristopherTandon(PRODUCTIONDESIGNER)

ChristopherTandon’srecentproductiondesigncreditsinclude:LADRONQUEROBAALADRON,BUG,THEDEEPEND,andGOLDCUP.Hehasalsoworkedasasupervisingartdirector,artdirector,andassistantartdirectoronfilmsincludingRECOUNT,WHERETHEWILDTHINGSARE,THEBLACKDAHLIA,THECHUMSCRUBBER,COLLATERAL,SPARTAN,KILLBILLandTHERULESOFATTRACTION.HestudieddesignattheUniversityofPennsylvaniaandholdsamastersdegreeinarchitecturefromHarvardUniversity'sGraduateSchoolofDesign.

SusieDeSanto(COSTUMEDESIGNER)

CostumeDesignerSusieDeSantohasbeenfortunateduringhercareertodesigncostumesformanycompellingwomen'sstorieslikeMotherChild.HerothercreditsincludeTheInventionofLying,TheDeadGirl,13Goingon30,WhiteOleander,IAmSam,WhatLiesBeneath,MissCongeniality,HopeFloatsandOneFineDay.

EdwardShearmur(COMPOSER)

TheworkofEmmyAwardwinningcomposerEDWARDSHEARMURhaswonacclaiminastrikinglydiverserangeofmotionpictures.HismusiccanbeheardinlargescaleHollywoodproductions(CHARLIE’S ANGELS, REIGN OF FIRE, SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW),dramas(THEWINGSOFTHEDOVE,K-PAX,),independentfilms(DEDICATION, THINGS YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT HER)andcomedies(BRIDEWARS,MISSCONGENIALITY).Hisdistinctivemusicalvoice,andaninstinctforbolddramaticchoices,haveledtomanylonglastingcreativerelationshipswithfilmdirectors,notablyRodrigoGarcia,withwhomhehasworkedfourtimes.

AclassicalbackgroundcombinedwithathrivingcareerworkingwithsomeoftheUK’sgreatestrocktalentmeanthatheisjustaslikelytobefoundconductinga90pieceorchestraasworkingwiththelatestaudiotechnology.

AgraduateofEngland'sEtonCollegeandCambridgeUniversity,EdwardapprenticedforlegendaryfilmcomposerMichaelKamenforsevenyears.HeperformedandrecordedwiththelikesofAnnieLennox,PinkFloyd,andEchoandtheBunnymenbeforeembarkingonalongassociationwithLedZeppelin'sJimmyPageandRobertPlant.ItwasfortheirlegendaryUnleddedTVspecialandthesubsequentworldtourwhereheactedasmusicdirector,playingkeyboardsandhelpingwedtheZeppelincataloguetothetexturesofthemiddleeastandthoseofthesymphonyorchestra.

Edward'sawardsincludeanEmmyforOutstandingOriginalMainTitleThemeMusicforMASTERSOFHORROR(2005),aGoldenSlateawardforBestOriginalScoreforCRUELINTENTIONS(1999),threeBMIFilmMusicAwardsforMISSCONGENIALITY(2000),CHARLIE'SANGELS(2000)andCHARLIE'SANGELS:FULLTHROTTLE(2003)andaSaturnAwardforBestMusicforSKYCAPTAINANDTHEWORLDOFTOMORROW(2004).HewasinvitedtojointheAcademyofMotionPictureArtsandSciencesin2005.

CREDITS

WrittenandDirectedby

RodrigoGarcia

Producedby

JulieLynn

Producer

LisaFalcone

ExecutiveProducer

AlejandroGonzálezIñárritu

Co-Producer

JonathanMcCoy

AssociateProducers

TomHeller

KarenGraci

DirectorofPhotography

XavierPérezGrobetASC

ProductionDesigner

ChristopherTandon

CostumeDesigner

SusieDeSanto

Editor

StevenWeisberg

Musicby

EdwardShearmur

MusicSupervisor

BarklieGriggs

CAST

(inorderofappearance)

Karen(age14)AlexandriaSalling

Tom(age14)Connor Kramme

KarenAnnette Bening

NoraEileen Ryan

PaulSamuel L Jackson

ElizabethNaomi Watts

Sister JoanneCherryJones

LucyKerryWashington

JosephDavidRamsey

Karen’sHydrotherapyPatientKayD’Arcy

PhysicalTherapistBradfordAlex

PacoJimmySmits

SofiaElpidiaCarrillo

CristiSimoneLopez

TracyCarlaGallo

StevenMarcBlucas

AdaS.EpathaMerkerson

WinstonMichaelWarren

CarolLatanyaRichardson

RayShareekaEpps

TomDavidMorse

DrEleanorStoneAmyBrenneman

MariaTatyanaAli

Maria’sHusbandSeanScarborough

JulianAhmedBest

Paul’sNieceBrenda Ball

Paul’sSisterVeronicaWelch

JudgeDawnDeibert

MelissaGloriaGarayua

AmandaElizabethPeña

DrMorganLawrencePressman

VioletBrittRobertson

LeticiaLisaGayHamilton

AdoptionAgencyWorkerGabrielleAbitol

Ray’sNurseKarenGraci

HospitalSecurityGuardEugeneCollier

AdoptionAgencyLawyerEvetteCord

Ella(age2)JulietteAmara

RebeccaSusanNimoy

SONGS

“TeQuiero”

WrittenbyJuanCMedinaandMartinSMedina

PerformedbyMedinaProductions

CourtesyofpigFactoryUSALLC

“WareikaVibes(pigmix)”

WrittenbyRichardDrury,KeithFinchandEnricoRodriguez

PerformedbyRicoRodriguez

CourtesyofpigFactoryUSALLC

“SadLittleSongs”

WrittenbyAlfredSmithandJerryWinn

PerformedbyBrentonWood

CourtesyofOriginalSoundEntertainment

“Latina”

WrittenbyRobertJWalsh

CourtesyofFirstCom

“GullyMan”

WrittenbyMikeIrwin

PerformedbyRoughSounds

“Don’tFrontOnMe”

WrittenbyOwenDHunteandLiffordShillingford

PerformedbyTenDaysTillI’mFamous

CourtesyofpigFactoryUSALLC

“ElPerro”

WrittenbyAlessandroBertozziandPedroRodolfoGuerraLlerena

PerformedbyRodolfoGuerra

CourtesyofpigFactoryUSALLC

“Being”

WrittenbyChristyKnowings

PerformedbyChristyKnowings(Cikae)

CourtesyofAccessEntertainmentProductions

“RappStarRemixed”

WrittenandPerformedbyClintSands

Courtesyof12x12

“LittleOne”

WrittenandPerformedbyLucySchwartz

CourtesyofLucySchwartzbyarrangementwithNettwerkProductions

TorontoInternationalFilmFestival2009

GalaPresentations

Playingitsthemeofparenthoodindifferentkeyslikeagracefulchorale,MotherandChildfeaturesastellarcastinterpretingastorybyoneofAmerica'sfinestcontemporarydramatists.

AnnetteBeningshinesasKaren,awomangrownbitterbyhabitsinceshegaveupherdaughterforadoptionyearsago.NaomiWattsisherdaughterElizabeth,nowasleeklawyerwithalustforpowergames.ShetalksherwayintoajobatafirmledbyPaul(SamuelLJackson,playingararecharacterwhodoesn'tholdtheupperhand).Thismotheranddaughterdon'tknoweachother,buttheirnaturesseemtofittogether.Allthat'smissingishumanwarmth.

ThiscomesintheformofKerryWashingtonasLucy,abakerlongingforachildofherown.Passionateaboutparenthoodtoadegreethatherhusband,Joseph(DavidRamsey),questions,shefinallydecidestheymustadopt.

Writer-directorRodrigoGarcíaisasophisticatedstorytellerandamasterofthemulti-characternarrative.HavingbegunasacinematographerintheninetiesonfilmsincludingMiVidaLocaandFourRoomsandworkingasawriter,directorandproducereversince,hehasmovedeffortlesslybetweenthebigandsmallscreens,craftinggemsofUS.independentcinemalikeThingsYouCanTellJustbyLookingatHer,thenbringingaseriessuchasInTreatmenttoNorthAmericantelevision.

Asheunfoldsthethreadsofhisstory,it'scleartheymustintersect,buthow?ThepleasurecomesinwatchingGarcía'scharactersgrowandevolve.WhenKarenmeetsPaco(JimmySmits,whoalsoappearsinBackyardintheContemporaryWorldCinemaprogrammethisyear),hiseasygoingnatureprovesachallengeforherusualsuspicions.AndwhenElizabethdiscoversshecannolongerexploitpeopleandleaveasshealwaysdid,shereachesoutforwhatevergroundingshecanfindinherlife.

MotherandChildbecomesincreasinglysatisfyingasitgoesbecausethesecharactersrevealthemselvesmoreandmorewitheachscene.Theendingiswhatscreenwritersmightcallasurprise,butaudienceswillfindarevelation.

BoxOfficeMagazine

MotherandChild

bySteveRamos,September18,2009

StarturnsbyBeningandWattsmakeforaworthymelodrama

AnnetteBeningandNaomiWattsleadamarqueecastinfilmmakerRodrigoGarcía'sMotherandChild,aslick,ensemblemelodramathatappearstotouchoneveryfemaleissueregardingmotherhood,familyandrelationships.WithitsglitteringLA.settingbroughttolifebycameramanXavierPérezGrobetandproductiondesignerChristopherTandonandanimpressivebalanceofheartacheandhumour,MotherandChildisanindependentdramawithstrongboxofficepotentialamongwomenmoviegoersinterestedinseriousfare.ThekeydramaticrolesfromSamuelLJacksonandJimmySmitsareanimportantfeature,onethatmayhelpprovidecrossoverbusinesswithmalemoviegoers.Granted,JacksonandSmitsdonotenjoythescreentimeoftheirfemaleco-stars.However,theirstandoutperformanceswillhelpMockingbirdPicturesandEverestEntertainmentsellthefilmasadramaaboutfamiliesandrelationshipsasmuchasitisaboutmothersanddaughters.

Karen(AnnetteBening)isanunsocialspinsterwholiveswithhersickmotherandremainsobsessedwiththebabyshegaveupforadoptionthirty-sevenyearsago.Unbeknownsttoher,thatdaughter,Elizabeth(NaomiWatts),isasuccessfullawyerwhoalsolivesandworksinLA.KarenandElizabethhavenevermetbuttheirbirthtiesareclearbythehumantraitstheyshare.Karenpushesbackagainstthefriendlyadvancesfromakind-heartedco-worker,Paco(JimmySmits).Elizabeth'srelationshipswithmenarejustasunhealthy,demandingtotalcontrolasshebedshermarriedneighbouraswellashernewboss(SamuelLJackson).Thesuspenserevolvesaroundwhetherornottheywillevermeet,andiftheydo,willitfilltheholesintheirhearts?

MotherandChild'sLA.setting,ensemblecastandmulti-plotdramasdrawcomparisonstofilmsbymastersinthegenre:ShortCutsfromthelateRobertAltmanandMagnoliabyPaulThomasAnderson,cometomind.WhatRodrigoGarcíadoestodistinguishhisfilmisgivewomenthespotlightandultimatelyraisethemelodramaticpitchoftheirstories.GarcíadoesnotyetmatchthestorytellingtalentsofAndersonorclaimAnderson'sbraveryforupendinggenre,buthegeneratesgreatperformancesfromhiscastandtakesfulladvantageofthefilm'smanytearfulmoments.

NaomiWattsisbelievablytroubledandaggressiveasaworkaholicattorneywhoseicyfaçadehidesherbrokenheart.Asherstoryunwinds,andhersituationdramaticallychanges,Wattsbringsmuch-neededsympathytoElizabethandplaysakeyroleinthefilm'smelodramaticpayoff.

AnnetteBeningisthemostpivotalcharacterinthemovie,bothangryandscared.Thememoryofgivingupherbabyforadoptioncontinuestohaunther.Beningneedstopulltogetherallthevariouscharactersinthemovieandshepullsoffthetaskwell.

García,whohoneshisskillsintheensemblemelodramagenrewithhispreviousfeaturesThingsYouCanTellJustByLookingatHer(2000)andNineLives(2005)provestobealeadingfilmmakerwhenitcomestocreatingsubstantialfemalecharactersandtellingmaturestories.HistechnicalskillsalsocontinuetogrowwithsequencesinMotherandChildthataretrulystunning.Hisgreateststumblemaybethefilm'soverlongclimaxandthefactthat,likemanymelodramas,scenesofheartacheoftenrequirepredictability.It'ssurprisingthatGarcíaprovidesfewsurprisesthroughoutthefilm,especiallyattheend.

WiththestarturnsbyWattsandBeningandthehighpossibilityofpositivewordofmouth,MotherandChildlookstobeawisepurchaseasaspecialtyreleaseforadistributorlookingtoaddafemalemelodramatoitsslate.ClevermarketingthatplaysupJacksonandSmitswillimprovechancesatwideraudiences.Regardless,forGarcía,afteryearsofachievinggreatsuccessonTVdramaslikeBigLoveandInTreatment,MotherandChildturnsouttobehisbestfilmandaworthyshowcaseofhisdirectingtalents.

HollywoodReporter

FilmReviews

ByKirkHoneycutt,September15,2009

"MotherandChild"

BottomLine:Threestorythreadsfinallyintersectinarevelatoryexaminationofwhatmotherhoodmeans.

TORONTO-Writer-directorRodrigoGarciaisamasterofmultiplenarrativeswhosestorylinesoftencrisscrossinunexpectedways.Hedeploysthisstrategymosteffectivelyin"MotherandChild,"ahappy-sadtaleofamotheranddaughter,separatedatbirth,whostrugglewiththedamagedonebythemostimportantpersonmissingintheirlives.Somemayfindthefilmoverlyschematic,butGarciasmartlyusesthreeparallelnarrativestoprobetheextraordinarynatureofmotherhood.

LikemanyofGarcia'sfilms,"MotherandChild"playsverywelltoadultfemaleaudiences.Thankstoanamecast-hisscriptsattractmajortalent-thefilmshouldcarveoutanicheforitselfinspecialtyvenues.

Thefilmopenssimplywithtwo14-year-oldsmakingout.Theresultingunplannedpregnancyleadstoabirthandabrief,poignantglanceattheinfantbyhermotherbeforeitiswhiskedawayforimmediateadoption.Thirty-sevenyearslater,wewitnessthepowerful,painfuleffectthisseparationhashadonthetwowomen.AnnetteBening'sKaren,themother,hasnevermarried.Shecaresforherinvalidmother(EileenRyan),theauthorofthatfatefuldecision,andinteractscoolly,evenawkwardlywithotherpeople.NaomiWatts'Elizabethhasburiedherselfinlegalworkandlovelesssex.She'sfiercelyindependentbutdriftsfromlawfirmtolawfirm,heronlygoalbeingajudgeship.

Athirdstorylinefollowsanotherunwantedpregnancyandanadoptionprocess.KerryWashington'sLucycan'thavechildrensowithherhusband(DavidRamsey)sheissetupbyaCatholicagencytomeetayoungexpectantmotherwillingtogiveupthebabyifshefindsthemacceptable.Thewomanisnoteasilysatisfied.

ThereisbitternessinKarenandbrittlenessinElizabeththatcauseeachtobeabruptanddemandinginhumaninteractions.Elizabethwon'tadmit,eventoherself,thatshewantstoconfrontthewomanwhogaveherupasateenager.Karenhardlyfocusesonherlifeoftoday,havingnevergottenovereitherheryoungloverorthebabysheblameshermotherfortakingawayfromher.Afellowworker,playedbyJimmySmits,wantstogooutwithKarenbutsheisunabletoeventreathimcivillyuntilhermotherdies.Meanwhile,Elizabethalsogetsinvolvedwithaco-worker,actuallyherboss,SamuelLJackson,ataLosAngeleslawfirm.

ThedesperationLucyfeelstogetababyunderscorestheemptinessinthelivesofKarenandElizabeth.Sorrow,anxiety,hopeanddenialrunthroughtheseparallellives.Thethreeremarkableactresseswonderfullyplayoneofthehardestthingsofall-ambivalence.

NeitherKarennorElizabethisactuallycertaintheydowanttomeet-untiltheyarehesitantlycertain.Lucywantsababyalmostmoreforherhusband,butwhentroublecomesbetweenthemshesurprisesherselfbywantingitevenmore.

Garciaeventuallyputsthethreestoriesonacollisioncourse.Thisiswhereyouaremostawareoftheschematicnatureofhisnarratives.Butitserveshispurposeandhispurposeistoshowtheenormousstrengthofthemother-childbond.

AswithallofGarcia'schamberpieces,thecraftsbehindthecameracometogetherwithsuchsmoothness.EdwardShearmur'squiet,understatedmusicheightensthewarofemotionswhileXavierPerezGrobet'slensingandChristopherTandon'sdesignunderscorethethemesofeachstory:Karen'stidy,suburbanemptiness,Elizabeth'srisk-takinginhigh-risesandLucy'sbattlesallinclosequarters.