Darren Aronofsky Handed Out Prayer Cards At The Screening Of "Mother"

Darren Aronofsky’s new movie “Mother!” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend. Before the screening, he handed out these prayer cards, embossed with a poetic adaptation of the Lord’s Prayer for the movie. This is one of those artistic turns that goes over my head. Sure, it’s a gimmick. But it’s also something that smarter people than me will read before the movie and claim it “informs the movie.” It’s like some kind of fucked-up foreplay for watching “Mother!” and I have to say… I kinda like it. That trailer looks weird enough as it is: strange, dissonant string music, a manic Jennifer Lawrence, and of course, Javier Bardem–Hollywood’s resident psychopath. Amazing how he simply can’t be cast as a normal, happy guy given that he struggles so much with English. You can’t put Bardem in a superhero costume because his accent is too damn thick for anyone to take his side. Loved him in No Country For Old Men and Skyfall. Vicky Christina Barcelona was ok for a day inside.  Haven’t seen much else of his work.

Regardless, I’m excited to see this movie because I like Darren Aronofsky when he runs dark. Black Swan was incredible. I remember leaving that theater and I was out of breath from what I’d just seen. I also loved The Wrestler, and I still haven’t seen Requiem For A Dream because I’m too afraid of it, but I know it’s a classic. The guy makes a movie every couple years and he’ll occasionally throw in a curveball (Noah), but whenever he puts together something strange and unsettling, I’m in.