Momma's Man

Momma's Man is a 2008 independent film directed and written by Azazel Jacobs. The movie is a somewhat autobiographical story about a man who, while visiting his parents in New York City, decides to stay in his childhood home indefinitely. The film tells the story of Mikey (Matt Boren), a young man who arrives in New York on a business trip. His intention is to spend a few days with his parents before returning to his wife and child in California. However, once he gets home, he becomes increasingly resistant to leaving, eventually deciding to stay indefinitely.

The film takes place entirely within the confines of Mikey's childhood home, and the majority of the movie focuses on the relationship between Mikey and his parents. His mother and father, played by real-life married couple Flo and Ken Jacobs, are both artists, and the home is littered with their eclectic creations. As Mikey spends more time in the house, he becomes increasingly wrapped up in his parents' world. He spends hours poring over old photo albums and reconnecting with his childhood self. Meanwhile, his parents start to worry about his mental health, suspecting that he may be suffering from depression.

As the days turn into weeks, Mikey's grip on reality seems to slip away. He spends more and more time alone in his childhood bedroom, listening to old albums and staring at the posters on his wall. His parents start to argue about what to do with him, with his mother insisting that he needs medical help while his father urges her to give Mikey space to sort things out on his own.

One of the most striking things about Momma's Man is its use of location. Almost the entire film is shot within the confines of Mikey's family home, and yet the cinematography manages to keep things interesting. The camera lingers over the details of the house, capturing everything from the stained-glass windows to the cluttered bookshelves. The effect is claustrophobic but also intimate; we feel like we're trapped in the house with Mikey, sharing his profound sense of unease.

The film also benefits from some excellent performances. Matt Boren is excellent as Mikey, capturing the character's quiet desperation without ever slipping into melodrama. Flo and Ken Jacobs, meanwhile, are perfectly cast as Mikey's artsy parents. Flo, in particular, has some standout scenes, capturing the confusion and worry that comes with watching your child spiral out of control.

Momma's Man is a slow-burning film that won't be to everyone's taste. There are long stretches of the movie where nothing much happens, and the pacing can feel glacial at times. However, for those willing to invest in Mikey's story, there's a lot to appreciate. The film explores themes of identity, memory, and family, asking difficult questions about what it means to grow up and move on. By the end of the movie, we're left with a sense that Mikey's experience has changed him irrevocably, and that going back to his old life won't be as easy as he once thought.

Overall, Momma's Man is a thoughtful and thought-provoking film that deserves to be seen by more people. It's a quiet, unassuming movie that packs a powerful emotional punch, offering a harrowing vision of what it means to be trapped in the past. If you're in the mood for something that's equal parts challenging and rewarding, this movie is well worth your time.