“Mother and Child” is presented in the allegory style made famous by the sensational Oscar® winning movie 'Crash' (2005) where independent stories are destined to have their characters’ lives become interrelated. Is it destiny, fate, or simply, a fact of life.

The drama centers on three women… There's Elizabeth (Naomi Watts), a smart and successful lawyer. She uses her sex appeal for control, like starting a romance with her boss (Samuel L. Jackson) when she suspects he has his eye on her, or controlling her way too friendly neighbor and her husband (Carla Gallo and Marc Blucas).

We also meet Karen (Annette Bening) a health care professional who has a lot of heart but never shows it. She gave up a daughter at the age of 14 and has never gotten over it. Her bitterness at that choice so many years ago, has her maintaining an aloofness to everyone around her, even the gentle man at work who is undeniably drawn to her (Jimmy Smits).

And there’s Lucy (Kerry Washington) an African American wife, who can’t have children of her own and uses a heavy ‘psychological’ hand with her husband (David Ramsey) to aggressively pursue adoption to make the family she desires.

Although the story follows three women, the overview of what each is experiencing and trying to cope with, is truly genderless. And the breath taking and teary final sequence demonstrates how the influences of the three women come full circle makes us realize, as we are all living separate lives, just how interconnected living life can be…

“Mother and Child” starring Alexandria M. Salling, Connor Kramme, Annette Bening, Eileen Ryan, Samuel L. Jackson, Naomi Watts, Cherry Jones, Kerry Washington, and David Ramsey.

Written and directed by Rodrigo Garcia. Sony Pictures Classics release. Rated R for sexuality, brief nudity, and language. Runtime: 125 minutes.

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