Provocative Scandinavian writer-director Lukas Moodysson returns to narrative mode, with the release of his first English-language internal film, “Mammoth”. A drama on parents separation with children infused with issues plaguing the globe takes viewers to a ride in three different countries beginning in New York City to the Philippines and Thailand. The film’s main theme revolves on unique tales of three working parents from different walks of life who regret not spending quality time with their children. As the film transitions from the wealthy to the less fortunate, many can’t help but compare it to Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s previous flick on societal gaps, “Babel”.
Absentee parents Ellen (Michelle Williams), and emergency-room surgeon, and Leo (Gael García Bernal), millionaire internet game designer have everything a wealthy family could wish for – a New York loft, great jobs, a charming daughter, and a healthy sex life – except for one, personal time to develop their relationship with daughter Jackie(Sophie Nyweide). Surprisingly they find an unlikely caretaker for their daughter, live-in Filipina caregiver Gloria (Marife Necesito) who’s also suffering from the same situation as she spends most of her time in a foreign country working for her two young boys left in the Philippines, Salvador (Jan Nicdao) and Manuel (Martin Delos Santos). As fate dictates, Jackie develops a stronger bond with her nanny than her mother. Gloria must deal with Allison’s jealousy and the settling guilt of leaving her two sons alone back home only to be comforted by constant phone calls. Leo, while on a business trip in Thailand, meets up with the third troubled working parent in the story, prostitute Cookie (Run Srinikornchot). Together all three parents depict the downside of global recession and broken family ties.
Many mistake “Mammoth” as a film focusing on the issues of the global world especially the societal gaps. However Moodysson craftily uses it as a background to depict the deeper moral of the film. What I love most about this movie is how it reminds parents to take a look back and remember that nurturing children is not about providing them everything they need but instead feeding them with love and presence. All three parents immerse in this same issue, portraying to everyone the reality that no matter how rich or poor, family ties are being broken. It’s amazing how Moodysson touches on the subject in every angle possible. It’s a certified international film many could relate to.
The film has both its ups and downs. Garcia Bernal and Williams unfortunately were unable to give justice to their characters as they come off bland and superficial. They were outperformed by the foreign supporting cast speaking in native tongues of Tagalog and Thai.
Danish Marcel Zyskind took hold of a beautiful cinematography shot in sharp widescreen with expressive visuals perfect for the scene. The crew did a top-notch package from editing, music and production design.
What leaves a lasting impression for the film is how it is filled with ironic and highly eye-opener moments that would surely strike a chord in everyone’s hearts.
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