Between travel and other commitments, I have been meaning to see Tully, but just couldn't find time. I had some time this weekend, so my wife and I screened it at our local indie theater. I like Diablo Cody, who wrote the screenplay, but wasn't sure what to expect. I don't like everything she does, but appreciate her unique voice. Two months ago, I reviewed Cody's Young Adult which also starred Charlize Theron. I liked that film and hoped that the combination would work again for me. In short, it did.
Marlo (Theron) is not your atypical mom. She is a bit overwhelmed with two children and one on the way. She has an elementary school aged daughter, Emmy (Maddie Dixon-Poirier) and a son in kindergarten. Her son, Jonah (Asher Miles Fallica) has special needs, but is not diagnosed with anything specific. Her husband Drew (Ron Livingston) helps out, but is largely tuned out to the stresses of her daily life. Marlo has a wealthy brother, Craig (Mark Duplass), who tries to help out by offering to pay for a night nanny. Marlo is opposed to the idea, but takes a post-it note with the phone number on it and tosses it mindlessly into her purse. She has no intention of calling.
Things at school are not going well. While Craig is a major donor to the school, the situation with Jonah is gaining momentum. The principal calls Marlo in for a meeting, explaining that Jonah needs special attention. Eventually, Jonah is dismissed from the school. The stress of a new baby and a child with special needs hits critical mass. The house is a mess, Marlo is a mess and she recognizes she needs help. Enter Tully (Mackenzie Davis). Tully is life saver. She helps Marlo take control again, helping bridge the gap. The house is clean, a spark has been ignited again in Marlo's love life and things look like they may just work out for Jonah. But everything may not be as idyllic as they appear on the surface.
Diablo Cody delivers another excellent script. In some ways, I liked this film better than Young Adult. It is a sweetheart kiss to motherhood. Diablo delivers a superhero mom, who is really just every mother who has ever lived. It is an exceptional examination of a character with amazing depth. The other characters are not flat, but they are designed to augment Marlo's story. The story has a couple of interesting twists that gave the film added dimension for me. While it was a linear, character-driven story, I felt it was a rewarding trip to the theater. A great story laid the foundation for success.
I can see why Charlize Theron was selected for this role. Aside from her willingness to gain fifty pounds for the role, Theron really seems to thrive in films she is required to carry. In this film, she flawlessly delivers her performance. She was amazing to watch. Her frustration and helplessness is palpable at times. Livingston was likable in an almost minor role. He managed to give his character a bit of depth while remaining in Theron's orbit. I thought young Asher had the role most noteworthy for a supporting role. The young man could easily have overplayed the role. Instead, he managed a careful balance that gave his character credibility. It should have been tough role, but he made it seem second nature. Great casting complements an excellent script.
Tully has a one hour, 35 minute run time. The timing of the film seemed just right. The story was worthy of a feature length film, but they didn't draw the story out unnecessarily. The film has a bit of resolution at the end, while also delivering a bit of an open ending. It worked. The pacing of the film was steady, but easily could have dragged out. The film received an R rating from the MPAA. The film had some sexuality and a bit of nudity. I forgot about the nudity, because it didn't register as nudity at the time. There is a breast feeding scene where a nipple shown. Pretty tame in today's day and age. The subject matter is a bit dark and will be lost on younger viewers. This film is intended for an older audience, but I think teens and above should be fine with it.
I wasn't sure what Tully was about. I like Theron. If not for Diablo Cody and Charlize Theron, I probably would not have seen this film. I'm glad I did not miss it. While it is a love letter to motherhood, there is something there for all of us. It is a film about the women in our lives. Our mothers, sisters and daughters. It captures the stress of motherhood in a way that honors motherhood while giving us a darker perspective. The ending was rewarding. Strong characters, good writing, solid performances and an engaging concept made this film worth seeing while it is at the theater. 7.5/10.
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