The title of “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” a strikingly original thriller, comes from a religious text in Islam. A man asks the prophet Mohammed the same question four times: “Who deserves the best of me?” The first three times, the answer is always the same: “Your mother.” The fourth time, the response is, “Your father.” In no way can I pretend to be knowledgeable about the tenets of Islam or to be able to fully analyze that exchange, but I’ll propose that the title evokes two themes that make the movie unusual. “Your Mother”’s action takes place against a backdrop of faith, and its violent protagonist must suddenly contend with the enormous responsibilities of parenthood by himself.
Latif, played by Mahershala Ali, considers himself to be religious, but he’s a paid executioner for a Houston mobster who’s a purveyor of prostitutes and porn. In almost samurai fashion, Latif’s preferred weapon is a sword; he avoids guns. He has vowed to his father-in-law to stop his criminal activities, but after some complications with what was to be his final job, he is pressured to dispose of an evangelist who has declared war on the porn lord.
The recent death of his wife has made Latif the primary caretaker of their three children, though: a teenage girl, a prepubescent son and – most urgently – an infant daughter who still nurses. When the baby rejects formula as nourishment, Latif scrambles to find sources of mother’s milk. That search gets tangled up in the web of his criminality, and soon he is battling on several fronts while trying to provide for and protect his family.
There are certainly contrivances in this premise. A hitman carting a baby around in a sling would seem to be prime comedy fodder, but the director, Bassam Tariq, presents the material straightforwardly. While a viewer might briefly suppress a chuckle, the movie’s atmosphere is tense and sober. Muslim communities such as this one, in Houston, are not often portrayed in American movies. The film’s unusual setting sustains our interest, especially in its first half, which lays the groundwork for the more action-oriented second hour.
The story is not only faith-forward for Tariq and his relations. Religious beliefs motivate many, if not all, of the characters in one way or another, at least for some of their behaviors. I have never seen another film do this so intently, especially in the thriller genre. Although Islam is the focus, other beliefs are shown. A cluster of Mormons are admired for their help at a critical moment. Not all permutations of faith are viewed kindly. The targeted evangelist is vicious in his self-righteous pursuits. Yet the filmmakers even have moments of grace for him.
Latif’s own faith is complicated. Understandably, the death of his wife tests his religious commitment, and he can’t always contain his bitterness. And his self-justification for his occupation as an assassin is obviously problematic. He rationalizes that he follows a code of conduct even when he is acting outside of the law, and that he has to take care of his family, but he’s not convincing. His teenage daughter, Fatiha, senses that Latif is up to something shady, even if she doesn’t know precisely what, and she is grounded enough to confront him on his waffling about his work and faith. I loved the depiction of their relationship. Fatiha is portrayed by the young actor Adia, who does beautiful, intelligent work.
“Your Mother” was modestly budgeted, and sometimes the money constraints are evident. I had occasional problems with the sound mix; patches of dialogue were unclear. Whether that’s the fault of the movie, the theater’s sound system or an actor’s diction, the issue was frustrating, since I often had a sense that what was being said would reverberate in “Your Mother”’s examination of faith and other matters. It didn’t interfere with my overall enjoyment of the movie, but my understanding might have been enriched.
Ali first connected with director Tariq when the two of them were attached to make a movie about Blade, a Marvel superhero. The plans for that film collapsed, but the training for a Marvel movie accounts for Ali’s bulked-up physique and fighting prowess in this picture. He looks huge. Ali is nonetheless an unusual action hero, strong yet struggling with grief and frustration. As his primary antagonist, John Cho is effectively smarmy and evil, although I would like to call a moratorium on the use of dental grills to signal villainy. Tramell Tillman pops up as Latif’s cousin, and he does what he usually does: effortlessly steal scenes.
I’ve emphasized the religious elements of “Your Mother,” so I should repeat that this is an effective thriller with a high body count – so high, in fact, that it might add a note of incredulity to the picture’s resolution. On the other hand, to return to the theme of religion, the conclusion also has surprising affirmations of family and – especially – faith. And it’s not only Latif’s belief in Islam that’s honored. “Your Mother” wants us to acknowledge all sorts of approaches to God. How often has an action movie ended on an epiphany?
“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” Written and directed by Bassam Tariq. Starring Mahershala Ali, John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Abubakr Ali and Laith Nakli. Rating: R. Running Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes.
