For a film directed and written by a woman, its plot is shamefully backward.

Otherhood relies on resentful child shaming to communicate a tiring portrait of meddling mothers as martyrs.

What makes it feel slightly heftier is that each of these actresses are terrific.

This movie would've worked so much better had the three women spent more time together, but still worth a watch for Angela Bassett, who manages to still rise above the lackluster material.