Xavier Dolan's debut feature is not about a teenager who killed his mother (as per the deceptive title) but rather a teenager who wishes that his mother was dead, which to his mind amounts to pretty much the same thing. Dolan himself plays the protagonist and Anne Dorval has the role of the despised matriarch, who Dolan introduces to in closeup and slow motion as she messily consumes cream cheese on toast - one of many habits that infuriates the young man. There is, however, a lot more going on and as the film progresses, we begin to wonder whether it is less a case of him hating her and more a case of not feeling comfortable to be open with her (she only finds out that he has a steady boyfriend by chance). Dolan is smart enough to also show us the mother's side of the story, which prevents her from seeming monstrous - though ultimately one does end up siding more with him than her. Dorval is particularly effective in a surprise phone call scene; the way she stumbles while talking, her anger always seems real and not rehearsed. The film nevertheless feels a bit truncated in parts. In particular, the amount of time Dolan's character spends in the boarding school and his experiences there seem shied over. That said, the film flows better than Dolan's (nearly) twice as long 'Laurence Anyways' and it certainly barely overstays its welcome.

Xavier Dolan's directorial debut was a very engrossing drama with the exploration of a Mother and Son's complex relationship and imaginative use of visual imagery.Dolan, also playing the lead of anguished homosexual teenager Hubert, is constantly at odds with his Mother Chantale. In the film's early stages their interactions are filled with tension, the clashing of personalities. As I Killed My Mother progresses Hubert and Chantale's individual notions to their relationship. Hubert longing for motherly love yet this subsides with rage and Chantale's muted reflectivity only revealing her true emotions to herself. Both Dolan and Anne Dorval brought characteristics and mannerisms to their performances which should be highly praised for its absorbing nature.The same can also be said for I Killed My Mother's symbolic and intense technical style. On multiple occasions scenes are intercut with images to convey underlying feelings most prominently Hubert's vision of Chantale as the Virgin Mary, such imagery challenges audiences letting it simmer on our thoughts. Stéphanie Anne Weber Biron's cinematography also deserves praise particularly in scenes with Hubert and Chantale, at times isolating them from one another adding to the tension.The thoroughly structured technical aspects and compelling performances of I Killed My Mother left myself with a wave of striving emotions, almost to tears as I was left to contemplate the marvelous achievements of a film from a first time Director.

J'ai tue ma mere – I Killed My Mother – CATCH IT (A-) French Canadian drama about a son hating her mother is something we rarely see on screen. The complexity and pain, a 17 years old son goes through to understand his uptight serious mother is something we've never seen before. There have been many movies about loving your parents or hating your dad but there have been very few movies or shows feature a hate relationship between a son and his mother. Xavier Dolan in age 19 written, directed a beautiful complex movie which shows us a mother of a different kind. The thing is she is not a bad mother, sometimes she does feels for her son and tries everything to make him happy but sometimes she gets frustrated being a mother of young teen son. Xavier Dolan as Hubert Minal a complicated homosexual teenager is brilliant. There are many confrontations between him and Anne Dorval which will leave you speechless. Anne Dorval as evil mother in eyes of his son is absolutely amazing. There are many rare performances which make you forget that it's just a movie. Her outburst on boarding school principle on knowing that her son run away from boarding school gave me chills. She gave an award winning performance.Well I love François Arnaud, became a huge fan of him since The Borgias started. Niels Schneider has potential with his angelic presence. Suzanne Clément as Hubert's teacher is nice. Overall, J'ai tue ma mere is a great French movie about emotionally inept mother and attention seeking son. Highly recommended.

Wow...! What a masterpiece... I prefer to believe that Xavier Dolan is not only a shootin star, but a director, actor and writer for history... "J'ai Tué Ma Mére" is one hell of a brilliant tour de force through emotions, love, identity, sexuality.... Xavier is outstanding (as himself??) fighting against himself and his mom and surroundings - the 'battles' with his mom is unique - and the 'love-scene' after 'painting the wall' is truly a highlight.Almost can't believe a 20-yr old wrote and directed - and played the leading part in - this excellent movie. Don't know why, but when watchin Xavier I'm thinking of James Dean (Rebel Without A Cause)and River Phoenix (My Own Private Idaho)...Love you Xavier for this - and lookin forward to forthcoming works. So fu***n GREAT!