From director Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin) comes a film that gives its audiences an intimate look at the meltdown of a new mother as she unravels due to post-partum depression. I can definitely appreciate a movie that explores the psychology of women navigating both the demands of motherhood and the hormonal changes that often accompany the stress of new motherhood responsibilities. However, I feel that Ramsay’s approach to the material is too hyperstylized and doesn’t feel entirely realistic, as her main aim is to create an audio-visual experience without a script that completely realizes her main character.
Jennifer Lawrence stars as Grace, a writer and Jackson’s wife. The couple moves from New York City to his hometown in Montana, seeking a quieter life. After the birth of their first child, motherhood and their isolated rural setting take a toll on Grace’s psyche. As she unravels, Jackson is left confused about how to help his wife and family.
While I absolutely appreciate the film’s premise, I feel Grace’s character development is lacking. We, the audience, gain some insight into Jackson’s background, but know little about Grace’s earlier life or why the demands of motherhood push her to the brink. The experience becomes an exercise in stress and bizarre reactions from Grace. While most people can understand some of her responses, other situations left me confused and bewildered.
To Ramsay’s credit, she does an extraordinary job of visualizing Grace’s breakdown in some genuinely unforgettable scenes. She has a remarkable skill in building tension and letting it erupt in truly disturbing ways. Jennifer Lawrence is absolutely incredible in her performance, but I wish the audience had a better understanding of why Grace takes things to such an extreme.
Robert Pattinson gives a solid turn, but his character development still falls a bit short. However, we do gain some insight into his background and upbringing.
Despite Lawrence’s incendiary performance and the film’s incredible visuals, I was somewhat disappointed with the overall experience because I felt the story lacked depth compared to the other films in this series. After watching the insane Nightbitch and the excellent If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Die My Love is my least favorite among these stories of women struggling with drastic changes in their lives.