I have to confess that I initially rolled my eyes at the premise of Carl Bessai’s Mothers&Daughters.

The film, which follows six British Columbia women and their experiences as – you guessed it – mothers and daughters, had definite potential to be saccharine. But by the end of the movie, I had been moved by its warmth and humour.
Mothers&Daughters is light on plot and technical spice (shot mostly in shaky-cam), but it throws all of its weight into the exploration of the theme of familial binds, the ones that tie us together and pull us apart, in need and tenderness, anger and jealousy.

Within his loose and thematic plot, Bessai must use his cast to carry our interest, and he is largely successful.

Tantoo Cardinal’s performance as Celine, a wry self-employed house painter reconnecting with her lost grandchild through the pregnancy of client, was a highlight. Her scenes with Cynthia (Tinsel Korey) are amongst the most realistic and sweet of the film. The always-fabulous Gabriel Rose (The Sweet Hereafter) was also a pleasure to watch. Her portrayal of Brenda, a middle-aged housewife getting in touch with her own long-simmering anger after her husband abandons her for a younger woman, was heartbreaking and hopeful.

Published in Volume 63, Number 28 of The Uniter (June 18, 2009)