The Unyielding Love of a Mother: A Review of “Mom”
A still from the movie “Mom”
The teenage years of a girl are often a source of worry for mothers. This sentiment, it seems, is universal. Simple things, like a daughter coming home late, can send even the most gentle mother into a frenzy of concern.
Another still from “Mom”
Last night, I watched the Indian film “Mom,” and I was deeply moved, even shedding tears. The film left me with a heavy heart. Perhaps, regardless of nationality, only a mother can truly understand another mother’s plight.
The movie is inspired by a true story, although in reality, the victim passed away. The film offers a slightly different narrative, where the daughter, Arya, gradually overcomes her trauma and reconciles with her mother after a horrific assault.
(Image source: Internet - apologies for any copyright issues)
A Family Shattered
The story unfolds in Delhi, India, within a blended family. The parents hold respectable jobs, and they have two daughters. Arya, the elder daughter, is not the mother Devki’s biological child, leading to some distance between them. Despite this, the family appears relatively happy.
One evening, eighteen-year-old Arya insists on attending a party. Her parents reluctantly agree. This night, however, irrevocably alters the course of her life.
The innocent and naive girl is brutally assaulted, her purity stolen.
She is gang-raped by four thugs and left in a filthy ditch.
Discovered by a dog walker, she is rushed to the hospital.
The perpetrators – Diwan, Mohit, Baburam, and Singh – are quickly apprehended by the police. But what follows is utterly shocking.
Due to insufficient evidence, all four are acquitted in court.
A Mother’s Resolve
This devastates Devki, the mother, beyond words. The reality is crushing. The very institutions meant to protect her daughter have failed. She decides to take justice into her own hands.
As the saying goes, “A woman is naturally weak, but a mother is strong.” This holds true here. A child is a mother’s vulnerability, but also her armor. For her child, a mother is willing to sacrifice everything, even her own life.
(Image source: Internet - apologies for any copyright issues)
Following the attack, Arya withdraws into herself, refusing to see anyone and consumed by anguish. The curtains in her room remain drawn, even during the day.
Devki knows that something within her daughter has been broken. To bring her back to life, she decides to take a desperate gamble.
The Path to Retribution
With the help of a resourceful private investigator, DK, a meticulously planned revenge operation begins.
This part of the film is particularly gripping. As viewers, we are simultaneously concerned for Devki’s safety and elated by her successful acts of retribution. As a biology teacher, she cleverly utilizes her knowledge to ensure the perpetrators receive their due punishment.
One is imprisoned, and three meet their demise. Singh, the most formidable of the four, possesses exceptional counter-intelligence skills and tragically kills DK.
The intense confrontation between Singh and Devki is a nail-biting sequence.
Fortunately, with the assistance of the police, Devki shoots and kills the pleading criminal.
Redemption and Reconciliation
In the film’s climax, Arya learns of her mother’s actions and finally understands the depth of her love. She calls her “Mom” for the first time.
The mother and daughter embrace, their estrangement resolved. This is the film’s cathartic moment.
The film concludes with a caption stating that the case is still under investigation, leaving the audience to ponder the implications.
The film’s soundtrack is also noteworthy. While I’m not particularly knowledgeable about music, I found the melodies to be perfectly suited to the scenes.
“Mom” is rich in symbolism, offering a veiled critique of India’s judicial system and social order. It serves as a cautionary tale.
As DK, the private investigator, says to Devki, “God cannot be everywhere, that’s why he made mothers.” This line perfectly encapsulates the film’s central theme.
I enjoy Indian cinema and have watched many Indian films. However, “Mom” delivers a visceral impact. I highly recommend it; it offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.