Film Review: A pop star's wardrobe dilemma becomes existential in 'Mother Mary'

David Lowerys Mother Mary turns a pop stars costume changes into a visually rich exploration of identity and creativity as Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel navigate tension and self discovery in a studio filled with metaphor and emotion

David Lowery’s Mother Mary is a chamber drama that transforms from a seemingly straightforward story into a visually intense and emotionally layered examination of identity and artistic expression. What begins as a pop star repeatedly changing costumes evolves into a narrative with deeper implications about creativity, personal growth, and emotional confrontation.

Plot Overview

The film follows pop icon Mother Mary, played by Anne Hathaway, who visits the studio of her former fashion designer, Sam Anselm, portrayed by Michaela Coel. This encounter occurs after over a decade of separation, reigniting unresolved tensions and creative debates. Their reunion becomes a catalyst for introspection and redefinition, framed within a story rich in metaphor and symbolic imagery.

Significant moments occur within Sam's large, shadowed studio, where the interaction between Mary and Sam highlights their past collaboration. Although the narrative gradually becomes more abstract and experimental, it maintains a sense of melodrama and reverence for pop music as a transformative medium, giving the film a gothic sensibility.

Inspirations and Themes

Lowery’s inspiration partially stems from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. In Mother Mary, the character’s fanbase is imbued with spiritual significance, emphasized by her signature halo. The film’s original music is composed by Charli XCX, Jack Antonoff, and FKA twigs, the latter also appearing on screen, lending authenticity to the depiction of the pop world. Themes include the evolution of artistic collaboration, the process of reinvention, emotional healing, and reflection on the creative past.

Character Dynamics

The film opens with Sam intuitively sensing Mary’s arrival. Initially reserved, Sam engages Mary with probing questions, leading to their confrontation in the studio where the central drama unfolds. Mary requests, "I need a dress," and Sam responds, "Will you let me do whatever I like?" This interaction initiates a journey into their shared history and the dynamics of their professional intimacy. Mary’s struggle extends beyond fashion, representing a broader quest for clarity in her artistic identity. Sam guides her toward a vision that incorporates the highlights of her career, blending past achievements into a cohesive expression.

Performance Highlights

Anne Hathaway delivers a nuanced performance, balancing vulnerability and star power. Her portrayal captures both the fragility and intensity of a pop icon facing personal and professional crises. Michaela Coel, as Sam, exerts a commanding presence, skillfully unraveling Mary’s hidden emotional struggles. Their dynamic forms the film’s emotional nucleus, with Coel drawing out subtle layers of conflict and reconciliation.

Visual and Narrative Style

Lowery employs increasingly surreal visual techniques, incorporating elements such as body horror and stylized flashbacks. While these sequences provide striking imagery, they occasionally reduce narrative momentum. Critics note that the film achieves its strongest impact during minimalist scenes, relying on the performances and chemistry of the two leads rather than elaborate visual spectacle.

Context and Release

Mother Mary is one of two two-character films featuring Michaela Coel released in close succession, alongside Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers with Ian McKellen. While both films explore creative processes within confined spaces, Mother Mary transitions into a surreal psychodrama, blending psychological and physical storytelling. Distributed by A24, the film opens in theaters this Friday. It carries an R rating for violent content and language, runs 110 minutes, and has received moderate critical reception, with an average of two and a half stars out of four.

Sources:

• The Hollywood Reporter
• Variety
• Deadline
• Movie Review: In 'Mother Mary,' a pop star's costume crisis turns existential

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.