MovieChat Forums > La terza madre (2007) Discussion > Anyone else LOVE this film?

Anyone else LOVE this film?

posted 16 years ago by fennis2000
39 replies | jump to latest

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed The Third Mother, and the audience at the cinema I went to in NYC had a ripping good time as well. It was definitely in keeping with the flavor of the first two: from the music to the taxi rides through Rome, to the climatic arrival to the dwelling of the third mother.

Sure, it's not a perfect film, but it's a solid entry in the trilogy, and a return to form for Dario. The CGI could have been omitted, in my taste, but every horror/fantasy film these days uses it.

I'm a bit surprised by all the whining and complaining on this board... everyone who said Inferno was a let-down now seems to think it's a classic.

At any rate, I will being seeing it in the cinema again this week!

[–] guigui-paul 16 years ago

I've seen the film only once (in italian without subtitles) and overall i liked it VERY MUCH too!
IMO,the reviews on Imdb about MOTHER OF TEARS are "just" mixed: some reviewers like the film very much,some others don't like it at all!

"everyone who said Inferno was a let-down now seems to think it's a classic"

VERY TRUE!
I remember than in 1980,many Argento fans and critics were disappointed because INFERNO wasn't,according to them,as good as SUSPIRIA!
The film was,according to them,"badly acted,"with a non sense and incoherent story","with some chessy dialogue and ending"etc!
Now,almost 30 years later,INFERNO is a classic!!

"At any rate, I will being seeing it in the cinema again this week!"

You're so lucky,i'd love to see this film in theater!!"

http://www.myspace.com/guillaumep
http://darioargentofr.blogspot.com/

[–] fennis2000 16 years ago

Thanks for the message....!

"badly acted,"with a non sense and incoherent story","with some cheesy dialogue and ending"etc!" - Yes, people say that about all of Dario's movies, including Suspiria. I guess Argento is an acquired taste, but frankly I'm suprised to see so many of his fans let-down by Mother of Tears. I left the theater in total joy!

I do think it's a film that should be seen in a cinema, however. It's so baroque and over the top, it needs a larger than life projection.

[–] artyr 16 years ago

>>I do think it's a film that should be seen in a cinema, however.
I've seen it in the cinema and it was ridiculously bad.

[–] Demonlover989 16 years ago

Fennis2000: Hey, did you see it at Landmark Sunshine? I saw it there on Friday the 13th @ the 10:30 show and the audience was great! Like watching with 50 close friends.

As far as the disappoinment of some with Mother of Tears; I would agree the film is not in the same league as Suspiria (which I hold dear to my heart as one of my all time favorites) but it delivered the goods. I noticed the same during Tenebrae and Inferno: whatever the flaws, Argento is able to pull in the viewer and make the film an experience!! Surely it will not only be a cult classic, but talked about for years to come.

[–] alanbobet 16 years ago

I also saw MOTHER OF TEARS at the Landmark Sunshine Theatre in NY City on it's first day of exhibition which was Friday, June 6th, 2008 at the 8 PM screening, especially because ome of the film's stars, Coralina Cataldi Tassone who played Sarah Mandy's friend, Giselle who was brutally murdered in the film's first murder sequence at the museum, was in person during that screening. Ms Cataldi Tassone also appeared in Lamberto Bava's DEMONS 2( she was the birthday girl who first turns into a demon) and Dario Argento's OPERA and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. I managed to see her after the screening and talked to her about MOTHER OF TEARS and her other films for a few minutes and she was most beautiful in person and very friendly and gracious.

[–] fennis2000 16 years ago

Yep, I saw it at the Sunshine as well... great audience, great vibe.

Yes, while the film may not be as perfect as SUSPIRIA, there is much to admire in Mother of Tears.... it's Dario revitalized, making a modern film, not a retro flash-back. Yet it still retains that Argento feel. I believe it's his best since Opera.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] fennis2000 16 years ago

I could argue for hours about how good Mother of Tears is... but what's the point? I'm just glad so many people and critics (NY Times!) enjoyed it.
With Argento, there's always going to be haters, it just can't be helped. He does his own thing, people don't get it.

Bottom line, I'm thrilled to love one of his movies again... the scene in the train station, the museum murder/chase are among his best scenes ever, in my opinion.

People are acting like it's still 1977, and it's not. Directors evolve, and it's a good thing.

[–] godless savage 16 years ago

I hated this movie, it actually depressed me how bad it was, I wanted to love it so much.... really don't see how you can defend it. And don't say that I'm a "hater" that "doesn't get it". I love plenty of Argento films, even a couple that don't get much love in general. MOT felt like no one cared about even making the slightest attempt a quality film, everything about the movie was halfass, from the script (felt like it was thrown together in a couple of days, and never re-written or fleshed out), the acting (so horribly bad, even by Argento standards), the cinematography (cheap, tv-ish look), the score (great intro theme, then nothing noticeable or interesting thereafter), the editing and direction. If constantly felt like Dario rushed through this, scenes often felt like he did one take, then moved on, despite the quality. There was no logic to the movie, characters came and went and re-acted (especially Asia), without any sense of reason whatsoever. The end looked like something from a bad 90's Cinemax late cheapie night horror flick, such a lame and easy resolution....

Of course, these complaints could justifiably be leveled at any of Argento's movies. The difference here was that these problems were much greater and noticable in MOT, and there wasn't the beautiful visual atmosphere and music to cover them up. I really don't see how anyone can call this a great movie, in any sense.... That's fine if you enjoyed it, a lot of movies I love are in no way "great", including many b (and even c or d) horror films, but to ignore the total lack of "talent" involved in the making of MOT, is just blind. In my opinion, of course.... I don't think there would be nearly as many good reviews if it wasn't Argento.

[–] fennis2000 16 years ago

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I think it was beautifully shot and directed, and as film journalist I do know a little about these things. It also has a madcap glee in it's cruelty, and a sense of fun. There's much more logic at play here than in any Argento film I've seen before, except perhaps BCP, his first.

"lame and easy resolution.... "???? Do you remember how easily the witch died in Suspiria? Or the rubber skeleton that burned up in Inferno?

After hating almost EVERYTHING after "Opera", Mother of Tears has made me very happy.

And I disagree with your final statement: I think BECAUSE it's Argento, people are being a lot more harsh and unforgiving.

A great film. Not perfect, but great.

[–] fennis2000 16 years ago

See, I think YOU'RE the one who is blind: the film is beautifully shot, and the score is wonderful. Anyone who knows about film can see that. The lighting and direction is gorgeous, I don't see anything cheap, tv-ish" about this 35mm shot film. I really think you haters are just making things up with no idea or sense to back them up.

It's sad that you say it's "fine" if I enjoyed the film, then go on to say I'm deluded.

And I'm in no way a Dario fanatic.... I hated everything after "Opera"..... This was just a delicious witches' brew..... and MANY others enjoyed it as well. Sorry if that bothers you.

I suppose you loved the rubber skeleton at the end of Inferno?

[–] kukkosten 16 years ago

fantastic movie!!! i was amazed.. killer trilogy.

[–] weschingsdieder 16 years ago

"The only thing more disappointing than the last twelve minutes of LA TERZA MADRE are the first 86!"

[–] djhowls 16 years ago

best piece of hokum this side of Tobe Hoopers "Lifeforce"!

So the acting was not great ......and the dubbing was bad...er...hello...Dario Argento movie!!!!

people these says just don't know how to ENJOY a movie !

[–] Flowtac 16 years ago

~claps and applauds Weschingsdieder~
You deserve a standing ovation for that. I am so buying you a pint and a pizza.

-------------------------

The sound you're hearing is the symphony of what we are...

[–] tonos_1 15 years ago

You are damned right! This movie was really preposterous.
Argento really loses all his former
qualities, and puts us amidst a poor plot and an awful scenery.
The
score is shockingly bad and the constant Mater, Mater croaking in the
Off is nerve-racking.
And to top all this: A MATER LACHRYMARUM with
breast implants.
Good gosh, what a crap!

[–] one_fix 16 years ago

I didn't LOVE it but sure, I liked it a lot.
Better ending and the whole movie would have been worth 9/10.
Now I'll give it 8/10

This was perhaps the most violent Argento's movie I've ever seen.

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[–] bmk149 16 years ago

I went in with low expectation and was really impressed and enjoyed the film.
Up until the ending of course which for lack of a better word was .... Retarded.

[–] danakate2502 16 years ago

by weschingsdieder

"The only thing more disappointing than the last twelve minutes of LA TERZA MADRE are the first 86!"

Nice one!
I wouldn't say that I loved LTM but I liked it okay. But I found it inferior to Inferno which most Argento fans believe is inferior to Suspiria.
I prefer Inferno out of the trilogy.

[–] Lord_Helmet 16 years ago

I loved it.

[–] mrazcrazy2006 16 years ago

i just saw this last night at monster mania con in NJ and i thought it was AMAZING...Argento has not lost his touch at all. He is a true genius. There were def some elements that reminded me of suspiria...after the showing i heard people talking about how awful it was and i'm like you don't know true horror than. Argento is def one of the kings of horror cinema.

[–] PostmortemG 16 years ago

"It's not story, script and acting that draws me to Argento films, it's his style, his use of color, it's his use of atmosphere (mise en scene) and the haunting tone of his movies. "The Mother of Tears" abandoned all of that and replaced it with typical gore. In my opinion, it's safe to say that Dario is finished."

I must agree with you - Argento is dead. Honestly, i don't understand how the film's retarded-to-the-point-of-infuriating elements don't offend every dedicated Argento fan beyond belief. Suspiria left an impression on me that few other films have, and while i don't think Inferno is a masterpiece, it's at least interesting on a visual level. Mother Of Tears has absolutely nothing going for it besides the museum murder, the only scene which bears the man's signature sadistic, operatic flair. As for M.O.T.'s 'witches', they are without doubt the most laughable characters in Argento's entire body of work. I was literally cringing with embarrassment in my theater seat while they strutted around, cackling. There's more to hate in this flop than i care to mention.

"Cain and Abel will go to Heaven... if they can make it through Hell!"
-Los Hijos Del Topo

[–] clickhand 16 years ago

yeah, I LOVED IT. The audience was into it too. It's fun being at a movie like this when the crowd is sucked into it for the whole time. Can't wait to buy this flick on dvd...FUN FUN FUN!