“I no longer wish to play the mother. It is dull.”
Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore stated this statement in her latest film, Sharper, which began streaming on Apple TV+ today. Obviously, she is in character when she says this. She is actress Julianne Moore. Clearly, she is in character. But, although the conversation makes sense within the setting of the film, it also feels as though Moore is addressing Hollywood casting directors directly. She is a renowned, award-winning actress who no longer wishes to play the mother. It is tedious.
Moore, who is 62 years old, is probably acutely aware of the diminishing number of important roles available to elderly actors, especially those of her caliber. Women who formerly appeared in every frame of a film or television show are now relegated to supporting roles, typically as the mother of the young, attractive protagonist in her twenties. Around the age of 45, celebrities like Andie MacDowell and Jennifer Garner are no longer the leads in romantic comedies. Instead, they play mothers in horror and coming-of-age films (such as MacDowelll in Ready or Not) (like Garner in Love, Simon). Even sex symbols like as Jennifer Aniston end up portraying mothers — although sexy mothers (Dumplin’, Mother’s Day), but mothers nonetheless.
It’s not that parenting is necessarily dull; rather, these mothers are rarely the focus of the narrative. While middle-aged males in movies often get to be rugged anti-heroes who go on adventures, most middle-aged women in Hollywood exist primarily to assist the younger protagonist on her quest. A mother shoulder for the protagonist to grieve on, or an emotionally abusive past for the protagonist to learn from. This does not mean that these women do not find ways to shine despite their little screen time. It’s easy to understand how, for experienced actresses, playing “the mom” could quickly become tiresome.
Moore broke this cliche in her Oscar-winning portrayal as “the mom” in Still, Alice, in which she played a 50-year-old linguistics professor stricken with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and was very much the focus of the film. And she has found other ways to keep her career full of significant roles for women over 50, such as portraying the renowned women’s rights pioneer Gloria Steinem in 2020’s The Glorias and the mysterious stranger who pays Amy Adams a visit in 2021’s The Lady in the Window. In films such as After the Wedding, Dear Evan Hansen, and When You Finish Saving the World, Moore has certainly been pushed toward playing “the mom” in recent years. This is why it is so satisfying to see Moore flip this stereotype in Sharper. (Warning: Do not continue reading if you don’t want to be spoiled!)
Sharper, directed by Benjamin Caron and written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, starring Julianne Moore as Madeline, a wealthy woman whose pampered adult son, Max (played by Sebastian Stan), is constantly getting into trouble. First, we assume Madeline to be the archetypal mother—an innocent victim who is here to corroborate Max’s story as the master con artist. But, surprise: Madeline is also involved in the scheme. She is not Max’s mother, but his girlfriend. Together, they are conspiring to take advantage of the affluent man (John Lithgow) whom Madeline is dating.
It is a wonderful story surprise and a much-needed reminder that Moore, although being over 60 years old, is still more than capable of portraying a seductive bad girl. It is easy to see why Max is so enamored with her after the hot make-out sequence with Stan. In one excellent scene, Madeline calmly informs Max that she would not be running away with him and that she did, in fact, exploit him to obtain a millionaire spouse. She is exhausted from running cons. She is weary of playing the mother. She says Max, “It’s boring.”
Moore gets to shine for the remaining 30 minutes of the film, but not as the nurturing mother figure, but as the sociopathic, vapid wealthy villain. In less than a minute, she turns from feigning grief over the loss of her wealthy husband to giddy pleasure about her life-altering bequest. Moore’s enjoyment could not be more apparent. She is no longer playing the role of mother, and she is in no way bored. Hopefully, Hollywood casting directors will take note.
»Julianne Moore’s Great “Sharper” Moment Subverts the “Mom Role”«