Mama-2013

Director Andres Muschietti

Starring Jessica Chastain

Scott’s Review #112

Reviewed July 15, 2014

Grade: C

Mama is a 2013 horror film that surprisingly stars Jessica Chastain, who one might assume is too high-brow for horror given her recent Oscar nominations.

Mama tells the story of two little girls, involved in a car accident, who survive on their own for years until finally rescued and raised by Chastain.

This film had both positives and negatives.

The opening sequence involving the girls’ troubled father and the drive through the countryside to the car wreck is realistic and compelling.

The snow and drifts have a picturesque, haunting beauty.

Throughout the film, some unique, effective visuals create a mysterious ambiance.

However, the film’s main negative is Chastain.

A top-notch actress, I did not, for an instant, buy her as a short-haired, raven-dyed, rocker chick with tattoos and a tough-girl persona.

It did not work at all.

The story as a whole was convoluted, and when the final credits rolled, it made no sense to me.

As a whole, Mama (2013) was not scary (sadly rated PG-13) but had some nice moments.