I'm going to say something controversial...I like Mother of Tears. Is it lower tier Argento? Absolutely, but he's clearly having the time of his life here and it's one of the first films he's made in 20/30 years that seems to have a genuine pulse and sense of joy about it. I'm convinced that, if this was as colorful and stylish as Suspiria and Inferno, it'd be better regarded. I'm assuming budget constraints kept it from really embracing the style of those other films and there are times when it looks too clean and digital like a TV movie, but its heart always seems to be in the right place.
Unfortunately, Asia Argento isn't very good in the lead role and she feels the need to scowl and constantly scream her lines like a madwoman. For the longest time, I was convinced there'd be some twist where she was either the Third Mother herself or an equally insane escaped mental patient.
Despite a less than desirable lead performance, Mother of Tears at least has a tighter script than Suspiria or Inferno and gives us enough gore and imaginative set pieces to keep us entertained. Sure, there are some (ahem) quirky detours throughout like the gaggle of annoying goth witches who parade through the airport like a bunch of teenage girls and Daria Niccolodi relegated to a cheesy CGI cameo as the vision of a (get this) powder puff, but there's a lot to enjoy here.
Unfortunately, Asia Argento isn't very good in the lead role and she feels the need to scowl and constantly scream her lines like a madwoman. For the longest time, I was convinced there'd be some twist where she was either the Third Mother herself or an equally insane escaped mental patient.
Despite a less than desirable lead performance, Mother of Tears at least has a tighter script than Suspiria or Inferno and gives us enough gore and imaginative set pieces to keep us entertained. Sure, there are some (ahem) quirky detours throughout like the gaggle of annoying goth witches who parade through the airport like a bunch of teenage girls and Daria Niccolodi relegated to a cheesy CGI cameo as the vision of a (get this) powder puff, but there's a lot to enjoy here.