I wondered for weeks how he would differ from Memories of Murder. There were many minor plot twists just like MM. He'll put you in the edge of your seat all night as expected. The mise en scene is strikingly similar, set in an underdeveloped town of Korea. I would have been disappointed if Mother was just another version of MM but it is different. There is a definite conclusion to this film unlike MM. But, the funny thing is, even though there is a definite conclusion, you 'll feel like something is not complete and you'll be left to conclude by yourself. That's the forte we've been waiting from Bong-- he catches us off-guard again.
Pay attention to the little details. You'll be greatly rewarded after the movie. Pay especially more attention to three different settings/characters when she tries to use the acupuncture needle.
I had no idea what the movie was going be about. Is it going to be about a mother trying to find the killer for her son? Perhaps she gets so angry that she kills the suspect? Is it about mother's love for her son? The only clue I had was that Bong said he wanted to portray "the crude instinct" of human beings... I didn't know what he meant before watching this film.
I had a high expectation going into this film. I expected a 7 but I left the theatre with an 8. But the movie slowly brews in you continuously. You'll wonder about various things for a long time. The 8 eventually became a 9.(MM was a 9 for me also).
I am in awe of Bong after watching this film because I don't know how one can make a complete film with such a low budget. Music score, editing, cinematography, screenplay, plot, acting... all aspects of the movies are well done. He is a living proof that no money does not equal a bad movie.
Good job, Bong. You impressed us again though expectations were high.
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