Love Mommy is a short film released in 2016
Love Mommy is a haunting and disturbing exploration of familial bonds twisted by mental illness and unresolved trauma. Lloyd Culberson is the man behind this film, both as director and portraying this young man, Vincent, who finds himself ensnared in a toxic relationship with his mother, Bette. With a gripping narrative and powerful performances, “Love Mommy” delves into the dark complexities of love, guilt, and the inescapable pull of a troubled past.
“Love Mommy” opens with Vincent, dutiful yet resentful, picking up his mother, Bette (played by Cindy Rucker Trost), from a mental institution. The dialogue between them shows that this is not the first time, her offspring has had to take care of the needs of his mother. Bette has a long history of mental illness, having been in and out of psychiatric facilities for several years. As a result, their relationship is fraught with tension, resentment, and unspoken pain.
Vincent, out of a sense of duty and lingering guilt, temporarily moves in with Bette to help her adjust to life outside the hospital. He doesn’t want to be there, but Bette’s last hospitalization came after a suicide attempt, and he wants to be sure she will be alright. From the moment he steps into his childhood home, it becomes clear that their problems aren’t truly behind them. Their interactions are filled with reminders of the turmoil they have both endured, and the atmosphere is thick with unresolved emotions.
Watch mother and son in Grand Jete
Bette’s behavior is snide and belittling. One moment, she is affectionate and vulnerable, seeking comfort from her son. The next, she is a bitch, angry and lashing out at him with venomous words, meant to cut deep. Vincent tries to keep his emotions in check, but it becomes increasingly difficult as her hostilities grow. He finally retorts that his girlfriend, Ginny (played by Rebecca Fraiser), is pregnant with his child, knowing that his mother will be hurt back by his revelation. This news triggers a volatile reaction in Bette, who sees the impending birth as a threat to the fragile bond she shares with her son. Her jealousy and possessiveness spiral out of control.
When Vincent throws up his hands in frustration, demanding, “what do you want from me?!” His mother answers. “You know what I want.” This reveals that their codependent and strained relationship has secrets. Bette’s hostile behavior is not that of an abandoned mother, but of a jilted lover. And she manipulates Vincent into giving her what she so desires. The scenes leading up to this are uncomfortable and raw, depicting the emotional entanglement that drives Vincent to the brink.
“Love Mommy,” is a film that lingers long after the credits roll. It tackles themes of mental illness, generational trauma, and the destructive power of unresolved guilt with unflinching honesty. It makes one wonder at what point did this relationship turn sideways? Was it always, one person pushing their desires on the other? While the film’s subject matter is difficult and at times disturbing, “Love Mommy” is a powerful exploration of the lengths to which love, duty, and despair can push a person.
