

Focusing on the relationship between Hubert Minel (Xavier Dolan), a 16-year-old Quebecois living in suburban Montreal, and his single mother Chantale (Anne Dorval), I KILLED MY MOTHER beautifully captures the anxieties of a mother-son relationship. While he gauges her with contempt, only seeing her out-of-date sweater and kitschy decor, the ingrained mechanisms (i.e. manipulation and guilt) of their relationship beautifully (and tragically) unravel on the big screen. After it's 2009 debut, I KILLED MY MOTHER was nominated for dozens of international film festival awards, and quickly became an international sensation; launching Dolan's career in the international film scene. But in the US, the film was never released: until now. 'I Killed My Mother' is a startlingly accomplished first feature, written and directed by Xavier Dolan, now 21, who stars as a willful, tantrum-throwing teenager discovering his homosexuality while locked in battle with his divorced, controlling mother. Through most of the film, you see the high-pitched fury of their relationship, but there are moments of desperate clinging that reveal a passionate symbiosis below the rage. --Stephen Holden, The New York Times This just might be as close as we'll ever get to seeing 'Catcher in the Rye' on the screen. Truly hilarious. --Brandon Judell, indieWIRE A genuine crowd-pleaser! --Jay Weissberg, Variety Review: Fantastic - This is certainly one of the best films I have ever seen. It is French Canadian and has won multiple awards. It is written, directed and produced by Xavier Dolan with the help of a grant from the government of Quebec. This was Mr. Dolan's first film. Apparently he wrote the screenplay at age 16 and was 20 when he did the film. The film deals with the extremely troubled but nonetheless loving relationship between a single mother and her teen. It is in French with English subtitles. The screenplay is one of the best I have seen and I wish I was fluent in French. Xavier Dolan and Anne Dorval are mesmerizing as Hubert and his mother Chantale. One can deeply sympathize with both characters in their efforts to overcome their pathological relationship. The cinematography is very artistic and original. The musical score is great and ends with a beautiful French song. The movie is absolutely captivating from beginning to end. Mr. Dolan has gone on to write, direct and produce multiple award winning films. Vive les Quebecois! Review: a beautiful and hopeful movie - This is a visually gorgeous movie, funny at times and heartbreaking at times—even more so when watched again. The story is honest and the acting is perfect. Ultimately, this is an incredibly hopeful film.
| Contributor | Anne Dorval, Benoît Gouin, Bianca Gervais, Carole Mondello, Daniel Morin, Francois Arnaud, François Arnaud, Monique Spaziani, Niels Schneider, Patricia Tulasne, Suzanne ClTment, Suzanne Clement, Xavier Dolan Contributor Anne Dorval, Benoît Gouin, Bianca Gervais, Carole Mondello, Daniel Morin, Francois Arnaud, François Arnaud, Monique Spaziani, Niels Schneider, Patricia Tulasne, Suzanne ClTment, Suzanne Clement, Xavier Dolan See more |
| Customer Reviews | 4.1 out of 5 stars 140 Reviews |
| Format | Color, Dolby, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen |
| Genre | Drama |
| Language | French |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 36 minutes |
D**K
Fantastic
This is certainly one of the best films I have ever seen. It is French Canadian and has won multiple awards. It is written, directed and produced by Xavier Dolan with the help of a grant from the government of Quebec. This was Mr. Dolan's first film. Apparently he wrote the screenplay at age 16 and was 20 when he did the film. The film deals with the extremely troubled but nonetheless loving relationship between a single mother and her teen. It is in French with English subtitles. The screenplay is one of the best I have seen and I wish I was fluent in French. Xavier Dolan and Anne Dorval are mesmerizing as Hubert and his mother Chantale. One can deeply sympathize with both characters in their efforts to overcome their pathological relationship. The cinematography is very artistic and original. The musical score is great and ends with a beautiful French song. The movie is absolutely captivating from beginning to end. Mr. Dolan has gone on to write, direct and produce multiple award winning films. Vive les Quebecois!
J**N
a beautiful and hopeful movie
This is a visually gorgeous movie, funny at times and heartbreaking at times—even more so when watched again. The story is honest and the acting is perfect. Ultimately, this is an incredibly hopeful film.
K**H
You should watch this to know how the phenomenon called Dolan started
I discovered Dolan with Mommy. I then went back and watched his other movies. I like this one, the first one, in particular. Not so much because of its style (which is already quite distinct and attractive), but for the way the story is told. The way the incomprehension between a mother and an adolescent is portrayed. Even though the mother appears cruel at times, we can feel her desperation and her love for her child. The teenage romance is portrayed very poetically. It is a powerful movie, well narrated and well played by Anne Dorval and Xavier Dolan himself.
E**E
Interesting first film by Xavier Dolan
I had been wanting to see this semi-autobiographical film for 2 years (since it was never distributed nationally in the U.S.) I really enjoyed his second film ("Heartbeats") and was curious to see the one that proceeded it. I enjoyed the plot and the acting is very good. If you like foreign films (this is made in Quebecois with English subtitles) you will probably enjoy it. Dolan's character is a bit of a brat and is a little over-bearing. It can be really distracting at times... that's the main reason I didn't give it 5 stars, but YMMV. I recommend it, as well as his second feature, "Hearbeats."
J**F
Not quite . . . .
It's okay. That's pretty much all I have to say, although I want to see it again, just to make sure. I'll update the review if there's any changes.
O**M
Insufferable Protagonist
I'm honestly dumbfounded how anyone could watch this for more than 15 minutes. That short amount of time is all it takes to make you fully hate the main character, who is well established as an incredibly acerbic teen who hates his single mother for simply existing in the same space as him. Absolutely no way in hell do I care to know about any other characters this teen will undoubtedly wrong for no reason.
D**N
Xavier Dolan's debut feature film !!!!
"I Killed My Mother", Xavier Dolan's debut feature film is a MUST SEE!! High School Student Huber (Xavier Dolan) tumultuous relationship with his mother (Anne Durval), engaging relationship with his boyfriend (Francois Arnaud), and the frustration of expression at 16 years old creates an authentic masterpiece! This film is an absolute amazing work of art.
K**N
An after-school special with lot of cuss words.
Yes, I remember it was very important to hate your parents at a certain stage. For the life of me I don't know why it went on so long. Long after they had anything to do with the adult life I made. Eventually, I realized they don't make my life, I do. This boy is presented as so privileged and petulant it's hard to find any sympathy for him. He's manipulative, only nice when he wants something. He does nothing in school; talks his moronic teacher into taking him in He cheats on his boyfriend at the first opportunity. What am I supposed to care about here? I put this down to the quality of the writing. Anyway, I thought it was terrible. Little film noir moments, "heavy" monologues shot in B/W are just two of the director's affectations. Even if you are interested in understanding the difficulties between teenagers and their parents you won't find it here.
S**H
Very good
I was wondering what was all the hype about this movie and now I know. I found it very well done, funny, sad, dramatic, sweet and interesting.
C**N
Opera prima de un genio
Xavier es el Orson Wells del siglo XXI, excelente también como actor. Son de las películas que las vuelves a ver y descubres algo nuevo. De colección
H**R
Gute Unterhaltung!
Dieser Film ist hervorragend für alle Fans des Regisseurs. Er zeigt die Konflikte zwischen Mutter und Sohn genau so auf, wie sie auch im wahren Leben passieren können. Alle Schauspieler haben in diesem Film alles gegeben und dadurch ist der Film sehr gelungen!
B**A
Mommy dearest.
Xavier Dolan has it all: uncanny director's eye, admirable acting skills, great sense for imagery and, on purely superficial level, he is quite a looker. This is his first, most personal feature, and if the rumours are true, it definitely deserved an eight-minute standing ovation in Cannes. Monsieur Dolan was only 19 years old when he directed, produced and starred in the movie - astonishing achievement on its own. Story is simple, universal, depicting love & hate relationship between mother (brilliantly delivered by Anne Dorval) and her wayward son. Humorous, character driven masterpiece that is bursting with originality and candidness. Unforgettable experience!
S**E
Dolan's first feature a dazzler
Xavier Dolan's I Killed My Mother is one of the most remarkable writer/director/actor debuts in cinema. With a strong cast,vibrantly coloured cinematography and energetic editing that propels the story forward, Je tueu ma Mere deserves all the awards it received.
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