A brutal depiction of a difficult process.

Savanah Leaf, in her debut feature, taps into an underserved community and culture and finds goodness. Her film has heart and is often charming where you wouldn't expect. There is a realness without the hatred for the system. It doesn't lose focus and it doesn't dwell. Tia Nomore (also 1st movie) subtly plays the leading role as a pregnent mother with two kids who has several tough decisions. There is also the overarching issues that will make most want to have a deeper discussion after viewing. Final Score: 6.6/10

One of the very worst films of the year. About as lazy an effort as a filmmaker can deliver.

This is one of those films that leaves me with decidedly mixed feelings. It's definitely a showcase for writer-director Savanah Leaf, whose considerable artistic sensibilities are clearly apparent in her first feature outing. The same can be said for lead actress Tia Nomore, making her screen debut in a genuinely moving performance. Unfortunately, the vehicle in which their talents are being put to use could stand to be better. This story of the bureaucratic turmoil faced by a single mother in recovery who's pregnant with her third child (and her first two in foster care) sincerely seeks to evoke viewer empathy for the circumstances she's enduring. At the same time, though, the story also raises many questions about responsibility (or a lack thereof), an admittedly honest depiction of conditions that are often present in these scenarios that, nevertheless, tends to undercut the pursuit of that aforementioned goal, leaving viewers (like yours truly) confused about what to truly feel. Add to that a somewhat thin narrative that feels padded to fill out the runtime, and one has a picture that comes up short of its objective, despite the efforts of a fine ensemble cast and engaging cinematography. This production's National Board of Review accolades and Independent Spirit Award nominations aside, Leaf and Nomore genuinely deserve better material to show audiences what they're capable of. Regrettably, however, this isn't it.

I worked in the child welfare and adoption field for many years and I found this film to be an accurate portrayal of an unwed mother who has two children in foster care and now is pregnant with another. I particularly liked the fact that in the end the mother chose an open adoption which gave her the ability both to choose her child's adoptive family and also the right to visit and learn about her daughter while she was growing up. In addition the open adoption made it possible for her two older children to remain in contact. I was impressed by the fact that the professional reviewers gave this film a higher rating than did the general audience. I think that this was because the audience was looking for entertainment whereas the reviewers saw the film as a well presented feature about a very serious subject.

One hell of a directorial debut. The film felt heavy, dark and ominous...but also it left you with a feeling of hope. The movie doesn't try and tell you what to think. It doesn't say there is a perfect solution. In fact all solutions are imperfect. Beautiful to watch. At times it felt like a documentary which may lead one not to notice how beautiful it was. One of the best parts about the movie is it is tough to like these folks and Leaf does a great job of getting you there.

Yeah it started out pretty well but when she's 8+ months pregnant and smokes crystal meth I lost all empathy for her. She bore no responsibility and didn't really seem to understand what she was doing half the time even though she had decent advice from counselors and friends. I'd never want to watch it again.

The sad beauty of Earth Mama. Savanah Leaf's debut, "Earth Mama," is a visually stunning and emotionally charged film that delves into the struggles of parenthood and adoption. Tia Nomore delivers a fantastic debut performance, supported by a cast that creates a genuine sense of intimacy. A24's streak of stellar debuts continues with Leaf's compassionate direction, balancing harsh reality and beautiful cinematography by Jody Lee Lipes. Kelsey Lu's score enhances the film's tender moments without glamorizing the characters' challenges. "Earth Mama" is a quietly gripping drama that navigates the complexities of single motherhood and poverty. I believe this film stands out in A24's repertoire, and I hope more people get a chance to see it!

I cried… several times.

Before you judge a person. Remember the governmental oppression and community corruption that black women have to navigate to become mothers. The obstacles which are repeated generationally, are misunderstood in popular culture. This film is a good snapshot into some aspects of black women-hood and how systemic oppression and drug epidemics makes the journey so much harder. We love you black moms. You don't have attitudes , you aren't hard or mean - you just had to endure things that would make most people go mad. And you still bear fruit from your womb that can make a difference in the world. That's why we love you. Movie of the year. If you don't understand , you don't understand the source material due to your vantage points in life. Ask someone and understand this film is real life for a lot of people. And it's not always as easy as blaming them for all of their mistakes.

I was expecting a more bureaucratic movie about fighting the system, but it was just a slow drama of a poor black woman deciding if she should give up her baby for adoption.

Excellent debut film filled with the urban poetry of being a young African-American woman growing up in the inner-city dealing with the struggles of being a single mother, substance abuse and caught up in the social services system. This is a coming-of-age story for a 24 year old woman named Gia who needed to grow up and accept the utmost responsibility of being a mother to get back what belongs to her while being open to giving what she doesn't want to lose. The cinematography of the Bay Area showed that beauty can be found from housing projects, the shores of San Francisco to redwood forests. If this film doesn't touch your heart you need to check if you have one. Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye sung by Bettye Swann and music by Kelsey Lu were essential to the essence of this film. Always keep hope within your heart because hope can heal heartbreak.

This is one of those movies that changes the way you see the world, as you are admitted into the life of a young mother facing heart-wrenching choices and obstacles. The lack of pretense and the inclusion of many non-actors makes the film feel like a documentary with an occasional touch of the surreal. It will deepen your compassion for women in situations like Gia's, for yourself, and for everyone around you. It is a very tough story to watch, especially if you're a mother yourself, but well worth the journey. Do not miss it.

Tried to like it, but it just dragged on. Boring.

Beautiful, sensitive, transformative film

The greatest 01 hour: and 37 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!