“Mothers’ Instinct” is a gripping melodrama that swings between various tones, drawing its strength largely from the stirring performances by its main characters, portrayed by renowned actresses Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway. Directed by Benoit Delhomme, the movie attempts to traverse two genres-old-world women-oriented cinema and modern grief narratives-Ieaving a sense of uncertainty about its eventual pathway.
Inspired by a French movie “Duelles,” the plot is set in the 60s-era suburban America, epitomizing a society graced with elegance yet entangled in an undertow of complex emotions. The storyline weaves around two families and primarily, the bond between two women, Alice and Celine, played by Chastain and Hathaway respectively. Both characters are immersed in a journey of grappling with profound grief and attempting to find their individual paths of solace.
The initial part of the film introduces a plot point featuring an allergy of a central character, setting the stage for further emotional exploration. As the narrative unrolls, a tragic incident hits both families, propelling the protagonists into deep grief. This incident marks a turning point in Alice's perception of Celine, as she begins suspecting Celine's direction of grievance to be towards vengeance, following several incidents.
Despite the stellar performances by Hathaway and Chastain, the uncertainty of the movie's genre emerges as a shortfall, especially towards the climax. The movie attempts to navigate the thematic territory of Hitchcock's suspense and Sirk's emotional depth, but falls short of mirroring the intensity of either. The plot at times feels rushed, not allowing certain narrative elements to fully develop. To conclude, despite its thematic incoherence, the film showcases the extraordinary talent of its lead actresses, making it an engaging, albeit bumpy, cinematic journey.
