Mother, I Love You is a Latvian drama film that was released in 2013. The film follows the story of a young boy named Raimonds, who lives with his single mother in Riga, the capital of Latvia. Despite his difficult upbringing and the challenges he faces, Raimonds is a bright and resourceful child who loves nothing more than playing his saxophone.
The film begins with Raimonds waking up early one morning and sneaking out of his apartment with his saxophone. He meets up with his friend Peteris, and the two boys ride their bikes around the city, exploring and having fun. However, the day takes a turn for the worse when Raimonds steals a phone from a woman's purse at the park. As he tries to sell the phone to a local shop, he is caught by the shop owner, who takes the phone and scolds him severely.
Raimonds is terrified of his mother finding out about what he has done, as he fears her anger and disappointment. He tries his best to keep the incident a secret, but things only get worse when he loses his saxophone on the bus. Desperate to get it back, Raimonds is forced to ask for help from a local boy named Renars, who is involved in criminal activity.
As Raimonds continues to make mistakes and bad decisions, his mother becomes increasingly worried and frustrated with him. She struggles to balance her job as a nurse with raising her son, and tries her best to provide for him despite their financial difficulties. She loves Raimonds deeply, but is often unable to express her emotions or connect with him on a deeper level.
Despite the serious themes and events in the film, there are also moments of joy and whimsy. Raimonds and Peteris have a playful and innocent friendship, and there are scenes of Raimonds playing his saxophone in various locations around the city. The film also explores the complex relationships between different generations in Latvia, and touches on issues such as poverty, social inequality, and the pressures of modern society.
The acting in the film is excellent, particularly from the young actor Kristofers Konovalovs, who plays Raimonds with a mix of vulnerability, rebellion, and naivety. Vita Varpina, who plays Raimonds' mother, also gives a powerful and nuanced performance, capturing the struggles and frustrations of a single parent trying to provide for her child in a harsh world.
Overall, Mother, I Love You is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores themes of family, love, and identity in a unique and compelling way. The beautiful cinematography captures the city of Riga in all its grit and glory, and the soundtrack is a mix of classical and contemporary music that adds to the emotional depth of the story. It is a film that is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.
Mother, I Love You is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.
