At the end of The Good Mother, the judge awards full custody of Molly to Brian, her father, and Anna's romantic relationship with Leo comes to a definitive end.
The conclusion of the film delivers a poignant outcome for Anna, who loses primary custody of her daughter, Molly, following a contentious legal battle. Despite the option to appeal the decision, Anna chooses not to pursue further legal action to regain full custody of her child. This pivotal moment signifies a profound loss, as her role as Molly's primary caregiver is significantly reduced.
Key Outcomes for Anna
The final scenes highlight the devastating impact of the court's ruling and the subsequent fallout in Anna's personal life:
- Custody Decision: The court grants Brian, Molly's biological father, full custody. This means a drastic change in Anna's daily life and her relationship with her daughter.
- Visitation Rights: Anna is permitted to see Molly only on alternate weekends and during holidays. This limited visitation schedule underscores the significant shift in their dynamic.
- End of a Relationship: Her intense and complex relationship with Leo, which was central to the latter part of the story and became a point of contention in the custody case, dissolves. Anna pushes him away, choosing to end their connection.
- Acceptance and Loss: Anna does not contest the judge's decision, accepting the outcome without pursuing an appeal. This suggests a form of resignation to her circumstances, where one of her greatest loves—her daughter—was effectively taken from her, and the other—Leo—she consciously distanced herself from.
The Impact on Anna's Life
The ending portrays Anna grappling with the dual losses of her primary role as a mother and her romantic partnership. It underscores the profound consequences of the events that unfolded throughout the narrative, leaving her in a state of diminished connection to the two most significant relationships in her life at that time. The culmination of these events paints a picture of a woman who, through circumstances and her own choices, experiences a significant fracturing of her personal world.
