Here’s a film that kinda takes all the spice out of “Yo’ mama” jokes. I Am Mother is set in the pristine space-age bunker of a post-apocalyptic world. What could be the only human left alive on the planet is being raised by a robot named “Mother” (voice of Rose Byrne). Oh, sure, the scene seems rife for Mother-related insult humor, but when it comes down to it, well, let me play out one scenario:
My roommate from college: “Your mother served oatmeal for Christmas”
Mother (interrupting): “Affirmative. Oatmeal supplies elements of nutritional sustenance required for human life. In addition, oatmeal provides energy required to complete daily tasks.”
My roommate from college: …
See? Not so easy, is it?
The film begins with one line of superimposed information: “DAYS_SINCE_EXTINCTION_EVENT: 0.” Sometimes exposition needs nothing else. Luckily, robots don’t need reflection; let’s get to the repopulatin’. Why, it’s easier than the Replicas model. I Am Mother presents the Top Ramen repop approach: simply remove your human embryo from its Kodachrome reel, stick it in boiling water, and *poof* human! Couldn’t be simpler.
After the EZ Bake part, there’s a bit of child montagery – which is apparently legal in whatever century we’re in. Then came a most confusing graphic:
“DAYS_SINCE_EXTINCTION_EVENT: 13,500.” Day thirteen…wha??? …HEY! She’s not 13,000 days old. I’m 13,000 days old (and then some). What aren’t you telling me, movie?
Eventually, we do get Daughter (Clara Rugaard). Yes, “Daughter.” Mother wasn’t programmed for naming. But the dynamic exists. This human child is being raised by a robot … and if something goes wrong with the compound, Daughter is on her own. Both of those facts are worth exploring.
One of the disturbing facets of this film lies in the fact that Clara Rugaard looks A LOT like a teenage Hilary Swank. I had this thought before I knew the cast of the film. Imagine my surprise when Woman (Hilary Swank) shows up. That can’t possibly be a coincidence, can it? Darn it. I think it can. That’s a fairly large unforced error, movie.
I Am Mother is sort of a PG addition to Terminator mythology. Humans die while the robots live. The question is how the two deal with one another when reintroduced. I guess I can understand why a robot is programmed to foster human life. What I don’t get is why and how a robot is programmed to choose between some human life over others. That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Also, can you finesse a computer? Like, can you make a computer thoughtfully reconsider a plan of action? I don’t think you can. I think that’s a human thing. I Am Mother will keep your attention and your brain turned on. Title ain’t great, but there are many worse sci-fi films, especially post-apocalyptic ones. Consult your local robot.
It doesn’t take a legit Sherlock
To know child rearing is more than mere talk
Just wait, you’ll see
Robomom is the key
If you wish to raise Mr. Spock
Rated TV-14, 113 Minutes
Director: Grant Sputore
Writer: Michael Lloyd Green
Genre: ♪Mama’s l’il baby loves diodes diodes
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Introverts
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Computer programmers, I imagine
