Diagonaldi Very well executed

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

harrihuttunen I'm sure Sigmund Freund would have liked this story: Mothers and wives die one by one to give room for a new 'perfect' family. And what is the newborn Nastasja ? The one needed to give birth for the next round.

mdegeler Penélope Cruz and Julio Medem really got a home-run with this movie.This is an absolute masterpiece depicting the raw struggle of a mother fighting cancer and all the emotions that accompany such a dire journey. Ma ma really captures the essence of Spanish caring culture, something I feel grateful to have experienced in my time living in Spain. If for any unfathomable reason you haven't seen Ma ma yet, I will not spoil the plot be saying more. If you're doubting about watching this movie, unless you hate great camera-work and an exceptional plot, I fully recommend watching it.

shatguintruo Beautiful film. Written and directed by Julio Medem and with a magnificent interpretation of Asier Etxeandia (Dr. Julian) the story is conveyed to the end without any lapses of continuity or fragmentation of the narrative. Nor could it be otherwise, given that Medem is formed in psychiatry, hence the result meaningful glances between Dr. Julian and Magda (Penelope Cruz). As conscious texture "human soul" is what Julio Medem which certainly demanded of actors such "interpretive masks." Penelope Cruz needs no introduction. Actress that every film grows in understanding of her portrayal of characters, in my opinion, is the culmination of her career, at least so far. Ranges from despair, anger, conformation to rediscovery of love. Luis Tosar (Arturo), perfect in the first scene in the hospital where his wife lay in a deep coma. Looking lost, sobbing, embracing Magda (diagnosed with cancer in the right breast) that forgets his own suffering, to comfort a human being who suffers more than her. The end ... Ah! the end is anthological: Magda faces death with open eyes, a mixture of surprise and anxiety to glimpse what is to come and Natasha opens her eyes to life, as if thanking the one that gave her an opportunity to live the experiences to come in this world, with all its unspeakable evils, but also with all its sensory pleasures. On a scale of 1 to 10, my vote is 9 (excellent)

David Ferguson Greetings again from the darkness. It's usually easy to bash the movies that go heavy on sentimentality. It's possible that even Steve Goodman would agree that this latest from writer/director Julio Medem (Sex and Lucia, 2000) could be the outline for a perfect country song: Mama's husband leaves her for a younger woman/student; Mama loses her teaching job; Mama gets breast cancer; Mama's new friend experiences a life tragedy; Mama and her new friend fall in love; Mama gets more bad news; Mama gets some good and unexpected news; things don't end well for Mama. Mix in a train, a truck and prison, and there would be no argument.Penelope Cruz produces and stars as Magda, the titular Ma Ma whose singing gynecologist breaks the news that her breast cancer will require chemotherapy followed by a mastectomy. What follows could be called a whirlwind of tragedies involving Magda, her son Dani (Teo Plannel) and the soccer scout Arturo (Luis Tosar) and the aforementioned doctor (Asier Etxeandia).The fine performance of Penelope Cruz keeps the film moving through the first two acts, and she is just so darn likable that we find ourselves really pulling for her. The strength and spirit of this woman has a positive influence on all who come in contact with her. She has an odd impact on the doctor who is clearly attracted to her, and they share a most awkward and unnecessary running dialogue about a young Siberian girl that he and his wife are considering adopting.The third act quite simply pushes the film over-the-top, as it goes beyond sentimentality and into pure Lifetime channel mush. The film is probably a bit too slick and stylized, given the real struggles of battling cancer; however, the point of female strength is not lost … though the "save the nipple" and "the soul doesn't die" discussions deliver a few eye rolls.