Hathaway's Pop Star Persona Can't Save Lowery's Film

David Lowery's "Mother Mary" stars Anne Hathaway as a pop music icon on a quest for a comeback following a mysterious event. The character, Mother Mary, experiences a significant fashion emergency as she prepares to return to the stage.

Three days before a crucial performance, Mary seeks help from fashion designer Sam Anselm, portrayed by Michaela Coel. Sam, her former partner and possibly lover, harbors deep resentment but is inexplicably drawn to help Mary create a new stage outfit.

The film showcases extravagant flashbacks to Mary's arena shows, featuring slick choreography and stunning visual moments. These spectacles, reportedly a large portion of the $100 million budget, contrast with the central, often serious, conversations between Mary and Sam.

While Hathaway convincingly embodies a pop star, Coel's nuanced performance as the imperious designer is highlighted as the film's strongest element. The screenplay, however, is described as dour and occasionally incomprehensible, with supporting cast members like FKA twigs and Sian Clifford underutilized.

"Mother Mary" has been noted for its stylistic aspirations, referencing films like "Persona" and "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover." However, it is critiqued for sidestepping its central queer relationship and failing to fully explore themes of stardom and its psychological toll.

The film's potential as a cult classic is hampered by its overly earnest and po-faced approach, despite its glamorous elements and a central flirtation. It ultimately struggles to elevate its disparate ideas into a cohesive or compelling narrative.