If you can get past the Samuel L. Jackson sex scene. . .

Mother and Child is the latest film from Sundance and Cannes award-winning Colombian writer/director Rodrigo Garcia, who is best known for his series In Treatment. It follows the interwoven lives of three women; a 50-year-old woman (Annette Bening), the daughter she gave up for adoption 35-years-ago (Naomi Watts), and an African American woman (Kerry Washington) looking to adopt a child of her own.

The title sums up this movie in a nutshell, as it’s all about the relationship between mother and child, specifically mothers and daughters. But despite being a female centric film, men don’t take a back seat and Samuel L. Jackson and Jimmy Smits put in solid performances in supporting roles. In fact, all of the performances from the multicultural cast are outstanding. Washington is the biggest surprise, holding her own as a powerful, contemporary actress.

Like his Golden Globe-winning In Treatment, Garcia has crafted an intense, adult drama that relies heavily on the complex, multi-layered characters at the fore. Watts plays against type and once again proves there’s nothing she can’t do, putting in one of her best performances to date, despite a seriously cringe-worthy sex scene with Jackson. And yes, it is as awful as it sounds.

Garcia has made a beautiful, tragic and often hilarious film that develops and evolves with the characters. He tackles the big themes and the big issues, and by the conclusion you’re left with an insight into the human condition. However, it will be interesting to see how this plays to a male audience and whether the content translates.

Mother and Child is released in cinemas on Thursday.