"La mère" is Makoto Kobayashi's loving but depressed mother. Her affair with Makoto's flamenco instructor shatters her bond with her son after he discovers it. Makoto loses all trust in her, rejecting her attempts at affection; this betrayal fuels his distress and subsequent suicide attempt.

Following Makoto's suicide attempt and the soul's reincarnation into his body, she withdraws further, consumed by guilt over her role in his suffering. Her deepening depression manifests as emotional distance and a struggle to reach him. Her initial gestures of care are met with resistance, highlighting the enduring fallout of her actions.

Subtle shifts toward reconciliation emerge as the narrative unfolds. She persists in efforts to bridge the gap with Makoto, despite early rejection. Over time, these quiet attempts foster a gradual, unspoken healing of their relationship, revealing her underlying commitment to her family despite past failures. Her character embodies the weight of maternal guilt, the fallout of broken trust, and the arduous path to familial healing, as depicted exclusively in the film *Colorful*.