As you may have guessed from the concept, Mother Couch is an absurdist take on matriarchal dysfunction. What is so remarkable here is Larsson’s smooth delivery of such quirky material. While the structure is covered vine-like with elements of the theater of the absurd, Larsson directs his actors to play everything completely state. This keeps the audience grounded and involved, no matter how Kafkaesque the situations get.
It plays much like Beau Is Afraid, except with better pacing and stronger guardrails against self-indulgence. Of course, the best parts of that fascinating disaster were when the guardrails were repeatedly flattened, and it went over the cliff, with the core themes ending up left on the wayside. In Mother Couch, these very same themes are explored to completion in heavy and surreal ways. Despite the reality-bending climax, there was no confusion at the end over how hard these people had been hurt by what their mother put them through. The bizarre developments here serve as expressionistic manifestations of what that pain looks like.
“…a crystal clear reminder as to why the stars that stud this movie are stars.”
The acting power in Mother Couch is a crystal clear reminder as to why the stars that stud this movie are stars. Burstyn is an absolute wonder. This is not her first swing at the f****d up mommy bat, as she previously hit a grand slam in Requiem For A Dream. Burstyn pulls off something very complicated, embodying a woman who never really felt sorry for the destruction left in her wake.
Abraham had the wildest time here in the dual roles of the twin brothers who owned the store. It is a credit to his mastery that he was able to breathe so much life into what would have been a buffoon split in lesser hands. Boyle is back, and boy, can she bring that perfect snarling attitude. While I am a hardcore Twin Peaks fan, my zeal over Boyle began when she shot those cops in the face as the 420 Witch in Hansel and Gretel Get Baked. There is a bitter vibration she emits that is pure plutonium-level audience identification.
Of course, we have the magical Mr. McGregor, turning in a nuanced performance that gets into some very raw territory. I knew he had a range, but the depth McGregor travels here is impressive in its specificity. The talent on display here is a credit to the concept that drew them to this project. Mother Couch is a plush cinematic experience worth sinking into.
"…a plush cinematic experience worth sinking into."
