Is Where Are You, Mother? Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1973)

📖 The Core Premise

Where Are You, Mother? returns to the screen in 1973, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, Family genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Linda gives birth to an illegitimate child from a relationship with her boyfriend, Alex, who dies in an accident. To avoid a scandal, her father asks his younger sibling to take the baby to Cirebon. Linda is then told that the baby is dead. The baby, Yatim, is treated badly by the caregiver. The caregiver steals the money sent by Linda’s father to support the baby, so Linda’s father gets angry when more money is demanded. Linda overhears the conversation and is told the truth. So Linda goes to Cirebon to pick up her child but Yatim has already run away to Jakarta to look for her. He is aimless and homeless, and becomes a shoe polisher. A children’s toy seller hears a radio broadcast looking for the missing child and advises Yatim to go meet his parent. Yatim refuses, and instead gets hit by a car. Finally, they are reunited at the hospital."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Where Are You, Mother?, Rano Karno delivers a performance that anchors the emotional weight of the film. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Where Are You, Mother? worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Family films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 1973, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Where Are You, Mother? is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 99 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.