The Hand That Rocks the Cradle: Review of Tully

Tully

Director: Jason Reitman

By Alex Watson

Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody movies nowadays are a little unpredictable. His new effort Tully proves that he is still great at portraying the strains of the everyday family. However, when we lift the hood on this impressive drama there are still a few questions to be had. Anchored by a stunning Charlize Theron, this picture is not short on talent or power but what starts as an impressive story by Cody runs into trouble just before the finish line.

Marlo (Charlize Theron) is a jaded mother of two who is expecting a third child. Having to deal with an autistic son and constantly stressed, brother Craig (Mark Duplass) suggests that she hire a 'Night Nanny' to assist her. Despite some resistance, Marlo eventually relents and soon Tully (Mackenzie Davis) arrives. Soon Marlo's life becomes one of peace and routine, however, she still remains suspicious of the new lady in the house.

For the most part, Tully is a very sweet and well-observed film and the first half of the movie firmly emphasizes the difficulties Marlo encounters. While her hubby Drew (Ron Livingston) gets to have his life of work and late night video games, Marlo is juggling a son whose school is dropping hints he may not suitable for their environment. Also, she is heavily pregnant and slightly apprehensive about this unplanned pregnancy. During this opening half, anyone considering a large family may think twice after seeing Marlo reach boiling point. Feeling a shadow of her old, freer self, this character is identifiable to many as she comes across as the jaded and worn down mother who believes her life is a series of 'what if' questions. Under Cody's script- she comes across as a well rounded capable of having a wicked sense of humour but also able to scream the house down when pushed.

When Tully arrives, she comes across as almost a hipster version of Mary Poppins. With her good looks, a variety of random facts and continually peppy persona, she's everything Marlo dreads as she represents all she has lost. "You're like a book of fun facts for unpopular 4th graders." she muses to the new charge. Together the two begin to form an unusual bond and slowly Tully begins putting on a magic touch by baking cupcakes, giving sex advice and thankfully giving the stressed Marlo a break. What has been a very believable and touching story so far begins to become unstuck when the nanny appears. The story takes on an almost fantastical feel and the events start to swerve in all kinds of bizarre directions. Such as one wild night where Marlo and Tully ditch their lives to go party in Brooklyn with disastrous results.

Then we come to the ending which in many reviews has been pinpointed as the picture's major flaw. It is a clever twist by Reitman and Cody, but its delivered with the subtly of a sledgehammer. Some view this as a ham-fisted take on mental illness and ultimately it leaves our story with a number of questions and plot holes. After underwhelming with emotive drama's such as Men, Women and Children and Labor Day, Tully shows a return to form for Reitman. This is a movie that can conjure up a variety of emotions, but during the second half, it feels like he has lost control of the wheel. Which is a shame because this movie is has a wonderful naturalistic charm which if properly cared for could have been an awards contender.

Charlize Theron gives a powerhouse performance that is easily her greatest since she rode the Fury Road. Marlo is a character who is so real it hurts and Theron does a masterful job of expressing her frustrations, self-doubts and her desire to have more fun. Whenever on screen, Theron is sensational and becomes the movie's pulse. Previously shining as the narcissist and vulnerable Mavis in Reitman's prior film Young Adult, Theron proves she is his go-to actress. Credit too to Mackenzie Davis who also rings in a strong supporting turn as the offbeat Tully. Breezing into their lives with an easygoing charm, Davis breathes fresh air into this tired life and is infectious throughout. Best known for her supporting turns in big movies like The Martian and Blade Runner 2049, this picture finally shows the skill she demonstrated in TV shows such as Halt and Catch Fire and the notable Black Mirror episode San Junipero.

Tully is an effective movie by Jason Reitman, but it ending will prove divisive among viewers.

Love, Honour & Obey: Review of The One I Love

The One I Love

Director: Charlie McDowell

By Alex Watson

Making a marriage work takes tremendous effort from both parties and some times things can go array! We all know how tragic the fallout from this can be (look any number of high profile divorces in the tabloids) but we always hope that any couple can get back on track and save things. This week, debut director, Charlie McDowell brings us a stirring and original look at the real difficulties faced from a simple weekend retreat. His movie, The One I Love has been a favourite around the festival circuit recently, but will it offer anything new to your typical getaway movie?

Ethan (Mark Duplass) and Sophie (Elizabeth Moss) are a couple who are currently on the verge of separating due to a previous affair that has caused them to lose connection with each other. Their therapist (Ted Danson) suggests they take the weekend away to a retreat house in the California countryside. Once they arrive there, the animosity begins to ease gradually. But the couple soon discovers that there is a mystifying surprise awaiting them inside the guest house!

The One I Love is a very interesting and self assured debut from Charlie McDowall (son of Malcolm) that very confidently deals with the problems of every day people. The cinematography from Doug Emmett casts a much needed dark shadow upon the wondrous landscape which in turn adds to the slowly building tension. Smartly though the movie turns from being a straight forward drama about relationships, to having a sci-fi/ horror feel about it early on as it becomes apparent that the house they are staying is not the idyllic paradise it appears to be!

As characters, Ethan and Sophie are a pair who have become a shred of their former fun loving selves and throughout McDowall's picture we can feel their boredom with life and in many sense, with each other. The retreat is supposed to serve as a recharging device for their relationship, and initially the bond begins to strengthen. There is no crash course from any counselor in relationship building activities, they are alone with only each other and in a sense have to earn back the lost love. But after a night where events don't turn out to be the way either remembers it, things end up going the other way and the suspicions, doubts and old wounds continually rack up!

But the movie benefits most of all from a smart twist early in proceedings that creates a wonderfully suspenseful feel to the movie. Before you watch this film, stay clear of any spoilers because it makes the big reveal all the more worthwhile! When it hits though, the feel of the movie shifts considerably and throughout the second half of The One I Love we are second guessing every event and are left wondering just what kind of house is it that the couple are staying in? Every move they make, you sense the couple is being watched! Just who by remains a scary prospect to consider.

Elizabeth Moss and Mark Duplass do an excellent job of holding the movie together at the core and give a very realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of a couple who are falling apart at the seams. They are not outgoing or exceptional people, just a regular couple trying to get by but find themselves hindered at each turn. The chemistry between Duplass and Moss is the very thing that brings the movie alive and there is a terrific sense of happiness mixed with a heavy cloud of sadness about the way things have transpired.

The One I Love is an experience very much worth having and will by far have one of 2014 most original and refreshing twists to it. But more than that, it will make you think hard about any relationship that went wrong previous and maybe just give you a path to avoid the same mistakes in future! McDowall could well be a talent to watch and Closer to the Edge will keep a close eye on this one!