Once Upon My Mother is a deeply emotional and surprising cinematic story about a mother’s unwavering dedication to helping her son overcome physical challenges and social barriers. Source: Australian Catholics.
Based on a true story, this French-language film opens with a man, Roland Perez, sitting at his computer, typing. The voice-over explains that Roland was born in 1963. And, then he continues to tell his story.
The English title evokes something of a fairytale, using the familiar words “Once upon”. However, the French title – Ma Mere, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan (My Mother, God and Sylvie Vartan) is more direct.
Roland’s focus is on his mother, Esther, her religious beliefs and, more familiar to French audiences, the reference to the singer-actress Sylvie Vartan (who appears in the latter part of the film).
The Paris family, originally from Morocco, is a tight-knit family of five children and their mother, Esther, is pregnant. Baby Roland is born with a club foot. The first part of the film focuses on Esther and her faith that he will walk unaided. It is a high-powered performance by Bekhti, who looks and sounds like a variation on Bette Midler.
Esther searches out every possible specialist, loudly rejects their realistic assessments about Roland, draws on her Sephardic Jewish piety, praying out loud at unexpected moments. She initially demands a miracle but gradually accepts that a miracle might take some time.
Audiences will appreciate where they are being led; Roland will eventually stand and walk. On the one hand, there are the authorities demanding that he go to school and accept his disability. On the other hand, Esther discovers the wife of a healer and commits herself and Roland to a lengthy treatment.
The latter part of the film moves more quickly. Roland is forced to go to a dance class, collapses and Esther confronts the ballet teacher. At home, he has difficulties in reading, but Roland watches so much television he discovers the Vartan and relishes her songs.
But Esther’s presence and absolute commitment to her son pervades the whole film. It is not just love, but we appreciate even before Roland does, that it is a smothering love.
This reviewer would not have minded a longer film, with a fuller development of Roland’s later life.
Once Upon My Mother (Ma Mere, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan): Starring Leila Bekhti, Jonathan Cohen, Jeanne Balibar, Sylvie Vartan, Naim Naji. Directed by Ken Scott. 104 minutes. Rated G
FULL STORY
Once Upon My Mother / Ma Mere, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan (Australian Catholics)
