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Good Mother

Name: Good Mother
Director: Hafsia Herzi
Released: 2021
Duration: 99 min

Representation Score

9.1/10

Excellent

2021

Director

Hafsia Herzi

Runtime

99 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Good Mother is a compelling exploration of intersecting identities, focusing on a working-class matriarch in Marseille. By placing multicultural, non-Anglo-Saxon characters at the forefront, the film shifts the narrative away from the margins to the center. It effectively challenges traditional gender roles, presenting motherhood as a tough, intellectual fight for survival rather than a passive role. The film also provides a critical perspective on how state institutions often fail underrepresented communities. While the film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and disability, its deep engagement with race, class, and gender issues creates a rich, authentic portrayal of contemporary French life.

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Category Breakdown

Does Good Mother have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film emphasizes traditional family relationships and does not explore non-straight relationships. It focuses on class and gender issues rather than LGBTQ+ identities.

How does Good Mother portray gender?

Excellent

Nora is shown as a strong, independent woman who takes charge of her situation rather than being submissive. The film challenges the idea of a nurturing mother by depicting her as a strategic survivor.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Good Mother?

Excellent

The cast includes characters from various ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the diverse population of Marseille. These characters highlight the intersection of race and economic status.

How does Good Mother represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story criticizes Western institutions, particularly the legal system, which is portrayed as an oppressive force. It examines the hardships faced by working-class individuals and the moral dilemmas driven by necessity.

Does Good Mother include disability representation?

Fair

The narrative focuses on the psychological impact of imprisonment and poverty. There are no main characters with disabilities that significantly influence the plot.

Present on Screen

Centers on multicultural, non-Anglo-Saxon characters in key roles.
Challenges traditional gender roles by portraying motherhood through strength and independence.
Offers a critical view of the adversarial relationship between underrepresented communities and state institutions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer romantic relationships.
Does not include prominent characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Nora, a cleaning lady in her fifties, looks after her small family in a housing estate in the northern part of Marseille. She is worried about her grandson Ellyes, who has been in prison for several months for robbery and is awaiting his trial with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Nora does everything she can to make this wait as painless as possible.

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