Mother Couch

It's a very rare beast. Deeply personal, poetic and beautiful piece of cinema made inside the american bubble-gum film industry. It is definitely not intended for immature audience, that thrives on superhero movies or streaming service content (I won't even bother to call it films). It's one of the most beautiful, impressionistic pieces of modern cinema. It's about family, it's about death, it's about perplexity of one's life, about a desperate attempts to understand it, to control all of it's chaotic and senseless elements, to navigate through this messy labyrinth of life. I'm amazed at how people who wrote negative reviews don't even think of how intricate a film production is. Especially in States. First of all, it's based on a book. Which was painstakingly written by an author, word by word, sentence by sentence. Then read and re-read by editors and publishers before it was printed. A lot of thought were put into it at the very initial stages of the process. Then the filmmaking itself. It takes a year out of your life, a year during which you are constantly asking yourself and asked by others - what's is it, why are we doing it, why are we getting out of bed at ungodly hours and driving to the set, why are we working 12 to 14 hour shifts on this? What is it in this story that makes all of us work so hard? DP's asking the questions, production designer's asking the questions, composer's asking the questions, every actor asking the questions (and not only about 'my motivation'). What is it? Why is it this way? That way? We need to know what it means, otherwise we can't provide right design, light, camera angles, emotions. Film isn't made at director's whim, just because he never found anything better to do with his life. There is no such thing as a meaningless film. There are pointless films, but there's always a meaning. The whole machine of film production needs this meaning to work. This is the work of a true artist and thinker. Brilliant design, camerawork , actors, minimalistic music. It's a shame that distributors didn't find a right audience for this brilliant piece. You don't necessarily need to 'get it', but you should at least try to understand it and to feel it.

It's a very rare beast. Deeply personal, poetic and beautiful piece of cinema made inside the american bubble-gum film industry. It is definitely not intended for immature audience, that thrives on superhero movies or streaming service content (I won't even bother to call it films). It's one of the most beautiful, impressionistic pieces of modern cinema. It's about family, it's about death, it's about perplexity of one's life, about a desperate attempts to understand it, to control all of it's chaotic and senseless elements, to find a way out of this messy labyrinth of life. I'm amazed at how people who wrote negative reviews don't even think of how intricate a film production is. Especially in States. First of all, it's based on a book. Which was painstakingly written by an author, word by word, sentence by sentence. Then read and re-read by editors and publishers before it was printed. A lot of thought were put into it at the very initial stages of the process. Then the filmmaking itself. It takes a year out of your life, a year during which you are constantly asking yourself and asked by others - what's is it, why are we doing it, why are we getting out of bed at ungodly hours and driving to the set, why are we working 12 to 14 hour shifts on this? What is it in this story that makes all of us work so hard? DP's asking the questions, production designer's asking the questions, composer's asking the questions, every actor asking the questions (and not only about 'my motivation'). What is it? Why is it this way? That way? We need to know what it means, otherwise we can't provide right design, light, camera angles, emotions. Film isn't made at director's whim, just because he never found anything better to do with his life. There is no such thing as a meaningless film. There are pointless films, but there's always a meaning. The whole machine of film production needs this meaning to work. This is the work of a true artist and thinker. Brilliant design, camerawork , actors, minimalistic music. It's a shame that distributors didn't find a right audience for this brilliant piece. You don't necessarily need to 'get it', but you should at least try to understand it and to feel it.

'An elderly mother visits a furniture store, and refuses to leave a couch that she sits on'. If, after that synopsis you still go ahead and watch, then you should be open minded enough to accept what follows? Great acting performances by everyone involved, especially Ewan McGreggor, who gives possibly the performance of his career. The dialogue, whilst sometimes bland, is suited to the family dynamics of the three siblings and their mom, in what is an increasingly bizarre scenario. What does it all mean? Who knows, but it engrossed me to the end. You either take the journey or you hop off at the first stop. The ending is unexplained, surreal, maybe dream like, and undoubtedly allegorical ( of what? I have my own view but its likely wrong so will not explain here). Mother Couch gave me a similar vibe to 'His Three Daughters' which I also saw very recently and which also split viewers into two camps.

This movie twisted my head in a good way. I think it's about the death of Ewan's character. After dying he is given the ability to see the future and the past and what his family thinks about him. He feels so much regret and the film teaches us to be kinder to the ones we love while we are alive and healthy together. Ewan's crying scene is some of the finest acting I've ever seen. The other actors are terrific too. It's great to watch a movie that makes me think. I can't categorize what type of movie this is. Is it a dark comedy or is it drama or is it a twisted feel good movie or tale of woe?

Once more we see a writer who thinks he can direct. Why is it so hard for you to stick to one profession and do it well instead of creating garbage like this that does nothing but stroke your ego. Some advice for your future projects. Writers should only write. Actors should only act. Directors should only direct. You do more than one and you end up wasting the talents of great actors who suffer due to a badly written story and directed by a non-director. You are not a film director. Not a good writer either. You directed your own music videos in your twenties, but that does not make you a film director. Not by a long shot. Write, act or direct. Otherwise you create weak stories steered by very bad directing that results in a waste of time and the talents of your actors, not to mention the pain you inflict upon your views who have to endure your ego trips. Pick a career and stick with it.

"Mother Couch" (2024), directed by Niclas Larsson, is an ambitious and daring exploration of the abstract, fusing dark drama and comedy in a way that defies traditional storytelling. What stands out most in "Mother Couch" is its bold attempt to blend art with narrative. Larsson's vision feels more like a visual art installation than a conventional film, designed for viewers who have an appreciation for the slow, dark, and often bizarre corners of cinema. The film's pacing is deliberate, with long, introspective scenes that some might find tiresome, but those with a passion for art-house films will likely find it thought-provoking. This is a movie that requires patience and an openness to unconventional forms of storytelling. At its core, "Mother Couch" seems to be about the art of healing, showing how unresolved family dynamics can manifest in strange ways. The characters, though emotionally distant at times, ultimately search for closure, making this film a contemplative piece on the complexities of human relationships. While it may not cater to mainstream tastes, "Mother Couch" is a unique entry for cinephiles who seek something different, especially those interested in the fusion of art and film. It's an experimental journey that, while imperfect, deserves credit for its originality and daring approach to dark comedy.

I think this film deserves a review even though I'm still processing some of the scenes. This is not an easy story to describe. So I understand some negative reviews that may be posted. Much of the investment is with McGregor's character and his relationship with his mother. This unfolds initially as a straight-forward affair of a son whose mom refuses to leave a furniture store (staking her claim on a specific couch in the store). As the story progresses, you begin to realize not everything is as it seems. Once you realize this, the film takes on a different light and the focus on McGregor's character becomes a bit more justified. Still, I think the brother and sister deserved a little more substance of character than what was provided. Kudos to Lara Flynn Boyle for making the most out of something less.

OK so here's what happens. Mother (Ellen Burstyn) is in a store and sits down on a couch and refuses to move. Her 3 children Gruffud (Rhys Ifans), David (Ewan McGregor) and Linda (Lara Flynn Boyle) all meet up at the store to chat to their mother. They are perturbed at her not telling them why she won't move from the couch. There's lots of chat, but it is inane and banal chat which doesn't mean anything and doesn't tell us anything except all 3 of them seem slightly inept at life. This continues, until the end of the film. There are no redeeming factors. Ewan McGregor is his usual low grade self, quite how he gets jobs I have no idea. The dialogue is awful, there's no explanation of development of any characters, it really is appalling. There does not seem to be a coherent story here, the score appears to match that of a farcical comedy, the acting is well below par except for Ellen Burstyn, and the dialogue is confusing and irritating in it's banal nonsensical way. I honestly can't tell you what it's about because it doesn't seem to be about anything. I gave it a 2 and that's solely for Ellen Burstyn's part in it.

Wanted to watch this for a really long time! The premise looked extremely intriguing and the plot is really unique and special! Love these types of unique films and innovative plots! Ewan McGregor is one of my all time favourite actors and does a amazing performance! One of his best! This was really a movie in my taste! That mixes different genres and atmospheres! First of all, It gives you that feeling you want from a good and intense psychological thriller/drama! Niclas Larsson does a amazing job! Definitely a promising talent in filmmaking! Its really well put together and directed! Soundtrack is perfect and really fits the film! I really recommend this unique film! However i don't understand the ending fully, which was abit disappointing! But its a very deep film which let the viewer decide! I really like that! A intrestring study of the mind and the fate, and the mind's acceptance through trauma, family and loss! It leaves you with a very special and wierd feeling after. Excellent, artistic, deep and unique psychological thriller/drama. Definitely worth watching!

Surreal yet drab drama "Mother Couch" is another pretentious art-house bore that tries so hard to be clever with its analogies & hidden meanings that it ends up as incomprehensible tosh... wasting in this case a fine & under-rated cast. When bitter old Ellen Burstyn refuses to leave a run-down warehouse-like furniture store run by Taylor Russell (terrific) & F Murray Abraham, her kids Ewan MacGregor (with wife Lake Bell), Rhys Ifans & Lara Flynn Boyle get involved... resulting in old (and new!) wounds opening. This debut of writer (adapting Jirker Virdborg's novel 'Mamma I Soffa') / director Niclas Larsson won't have many hungering to see what he serves up next. Hard pass.