Emerging writer-director Bassam Tariq teams up with two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali for his latest feature, “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” from Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios. Ali portrays Latif, a devoutly religious hitman who struggles to balance work, faith, and fatherhood. Following the death of his wife, he becomes the sole protector and provider for his newborn daughter, Fathia (Adia), and son, Qadir (Jahleel Kamara).
Mike (Laith Nakli) attempts to recruit Latif for one final job: to protect his nephew Hatty (Abukar Ali), an X-rated content creator who has fallen under the violent radar of a war veteran turned insane religious zealot, Pastor Hwan (John Cho). Mike wants Latif to kill Hwan, even though Latif knows it goes against his moral code. Latif also grapples with the conflicting viewpoints of his spiritual mentor, Abdul Malik (Giancarlo Esposito), and his judgmental brother-in-law, Talib (Tramell Tillman). As he confronts the forces closing in around him and the beliefs that threaten to unravel within, Latif is in for the battle of his life.
Like many, I am disappointed that we will never see Mr. Ali play Blade; Marvel truly dropped the ball on that one. My son was in middle school when “Blade” first came out, and now he’s a college freshman! I mention this to emphasize that there’s no reason why “Blade” shouldn’t have come together. However, as often happens, fate intervenes—the original director of “Blade,” who left over creative differences, brings his talents to “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” and proves Marvel missed an opportunity.
The film opens with a brief fight scene showcasing Latif’s fighting skills before shifting the tone and becoming something more somber. Instead of a nonstop action film, Tariq guides Ali to deliver a beautiful story about fatherhood and how far a man will go to protect his children after losing his partner. Since his debut in a small role in 2008’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Mahershala Ali has consistently displayed a quiet intensity mixed with a heart of gold. This is the kind of role he could play in his sleep, and he delivers it with dramatic flair. While the action sequences may not be nonstop, he excels when they do.
The supporting cast is equally strong, with the young actors portraying his children coming across as organic and natural without crossing the line into disrespect. Tillman and Esposito both prove that, even in smaller roles, they are two of the strongest character actors working today. The real surprise, however, is John Cho, who continues to move away from his comedic roots and seems to be entering a second-career phase with serious roles or as an antagonist.
As an action junkie, I wish the film gave Ali more chances to showcase his heroics, but there’s more than enough here for me to recommend it.
Final Grade: A-
“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” is in theaters Thursday, October1st .
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