cotillardfan wrote:

And the second thing. The mom was crazy, you said yourself you liked the relationship between them. Thats how her mom acts! Was it a bit over the top? maybe. But essential to the story and character of the mother? absolutely.

Yeah, I think that was one of the key parts.  As someone who knows a person with a similar controlling personality to the mother, it was very true to character.  It may seem melodramatic to someone who hasn't been around someone like that... but that's how they act!