Maternity Blues

Fabrizio Cattani's *Maternity Blues* attempts to delve into the harrowing subject of infanticide and its aftermath, but despite the weight of its premise, the film falters in its execution. What could have been a deeply emotional and thought-provoking exploration instead feels overly contrived and emotionally distant.

The narrative follows Clara, a woman sent to a psychiatric facility after committing an unspeakable act. While the setting offers a chance to examine the fragile psyches of the women within, the script leans too heavily on melodrama, failing to provide the nuanced depth that such a story demands. The characters often feel like one-dimensional archetypes, their struggles reduced to surface-level portrayals that lack authenticity.

Cattani's direction, while earnest, lacks the subtlety needed to navigate the complexities of this sensitive subject matter. The heavy-handed dialogue and overwrought performances detract from the film's potential impact, leaving key moments feeling forced rather than poignant. The visual style, though atmospheric, doesn't compensate for the lack of narrative coherence.

Despite its ambition, *Maternity Blues* struggles to connect with its audience on a meaningful level. Instead of evoking empathy or understanding, it often comes across as a bleak exercise in misery that offers little insight into its characters or their journeys.

Rating: 3/10 - A misfire that fails to handle its challenging themes with the care and depth they deserve.

I couldn't prise this movie enough, really looking forward to its release in DVD to add it to my collection.

It deals with a very turbulent topic not many people would like to think about, but it does without prejudices and reflecting the conflicting emotions that the families involved go through. As a midwife, I can relate to the devastating reality of post natal depression and the society denial to acknowledge it. I don't think women want to know about it only if affects them or someone close to them, because let's face it no-one would like to think something so common in incidence yet so devastating can happen to them (postnatal depression). However, we see it on the news again and again (infanticide, yet most of the times including mother suicide as well) and this movie really help you to understand what these people are going through to commit such sort of atrocity.

The script was great, the direction brilliant and the actress awesome, if you happen to work in mental health or as a health visitor you shouldn't miss this movie. If you have someone close who is suffering postnatal depression is a very good movie that gives the condition the magnitude it has. I share a flat with a divorced man from a woman who suffered postnatal depression and even though he realises she was ill, he still can't understand how having it all to be happy she felt so bad and that eventually without the adequate support ended up with their family.

I loved every bit of it, not just the topic but the respectful way it was dealt with, watch it you won't be disappointed!