• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Movie Review – Ma ma (2015)

June 22, 2016 by Sara Hemrajani

Ma ma, 2015.

Directed by Julio Medem.
Starring Penelope Cruz, Luis Tosar, Asier Etxeandia and Teo Planell.

SYNOPSIS:

An upbeat single mother tackles love and mortality after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

Besides her appearances in Pedro Almodovar’s films, Penelope Cruz’s potential as a serious actress remains largely untapped. On paper, Ma Ma is the right vehicle to show off her flair for pathos, romance and whimsy, however, the end result is far too ridiculous and cheesy to benefit her resume.

Cruz plays Magda, a recently laid off teacher who lives with her football-obsessed young son, Dani (Teo Planell). She is separated from her professor husband since he cavorts with his female students, but the eternally cheery Magda has apparently made peace with his philandering and leads a content life.

After a routine self-examination sends her to the doctor, Magda is told she has advanced breast cancer and needs to start chemotherapy as soon as possible. Having not quite processed the news, she goes to watch Dani play in a match and sparks a conversation with a Real Madrid scout named Arturo (Luis Tosar). He suddenly receives a phone call informing him that his wife and child are in hospital following a serious car crash. Magda rushes him to the emergency ward and, over the next few days, the pair comfort each other as they deal with illness and death simultaneously.

Their emotional support evolves into a romantic relationship and soon Magda, Arturo and Dani become a family unit of their own. But, since this is a shameless melodrama, Magda’s health takes a turn for the worse, throwing them for a loop.

Ma Ma‘s faults lie firmly with the script and not the performances. Cruz, in particular, is luminous and engaging. The Oscar-winner rises above the tearjerker material and gives the film a much needed anchor. Planell and Tosar help with nice supporting turns.

Unfortunately for the cast, the weaknesses in the story are too glaring to ignore. For one, Ma Ma is strangely devoid of women despite Magda’s central presence. Are there no other female patients getting treatment? Where are her mother, relatives and friends? Also the focus on cancer is rather superficial with Magda never really expressing anger, frustration or grief, instead she jokes around with her handsome, singing gynaecologist (Asier Etxeandia).

On top of that, director Julio Medem’s jarring tonal shifts, including frequent use of a CGI throbbing heart and odd dream sequences, render any attempt at subtlety useless.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★  / Movie: ★ ★

Sara Hemrajani

. url=”.” . width=”100%” height=”150″ iframe=”true” /]

https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng

Filed Under: Movies, Reviews, Sara Hemrajani Tagged With: Asier Etxeandia, Julio Medem, Luis Tosar, Ma Ma, Penelope Cruz, Teo Planell

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

20 Essential Criterion Collection Films

Ranking Video Game Movie Sequels From Worst to Best

The Best Sword-and-Sandal Movies of the 21st Century

The Essential One Man Army Action Movies

The Shining at 45: The Story Behind Stanley Kubrick’s Psychological Horror Masterpiece

Godzilla Minus One and the Essential Toho Godzilla Movies

10 Essential Action Movies from 2005

Rooting For The Villain

From Hated to Loved: Did These Movies Deserve Reappraisal?

The Queens of the B-Movie

Top Stories:

6 Great Australian Crime Movies of the 1980s

7 Underrated World War II Romance Movies

Great Tarantino-esque Movies You Need To See

Whatever Happened to the Horror Icon?

The Rise of Paul Thomas Anderson: A Living Legend

Movie Review – Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Movie Review – Hot Milk (2025)

Movie Review – Heads of State (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Most Iconic Cult Classics of All Time

The Essential 90s Action Movies

The 10 Best Villains in Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies

Awful Video Game Movie Adaptations You’ve Probably Forgotten

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket