LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- Mother Mary, in theaters Friday, is a deeply psychological supernatural horror movie. The psychological element is stronger, but the latter works only because of the strength of the former.
Singer Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) turns to her old wardrobe designer Sam Anselm (Michaela Cole) on Thursday for a new dress for a concert Sunday. Sam has not listened to Mother Mary's songs for 10 years since their rift.
So the first half of Mother Mary involves Sam's negotiation with Mary, and working through what kind of dress she will design. Hints of Mary's crisis and their rift emerge early in the conversation and will be revealed in detail.
But, Sam is patient because she knows everything will come out no matter how much Mary deflects. Sam has such quiet confidence that there's no need for her to argue because she knows she's right.
Sam is so specific with regards to how and why she'll choose fabrics and designs, yet omits the major element of the songs themselves. That shows how painful it was, and also that Sam is so capable she can design the perfect dress without even hearing the songs Mary will sing.
