The film is about motherhood, so it only seemed appropriate that Robin and I would see it on Mother’s Day weekend. I am a fan of screenwriter Diablo Cody (“Juno” – 2007) and Charlize Theron, so I was looking forward to seeing it. The film is a compelling drama, but also quite funny throughout. Although at it’s core it’s a “chick flick,” the film has enough going for it that men will enjoy it, too. Cody has a unique, off-beat, clever, sardonic wit, which I really enjoy. This screenplay was written after Cody had her third child, so it probably has some auto-biographical components. In any case, the movie sure has the “ring of truth” to it.
Marlo (Theron) is a very pregnant 40-year-old woman with an eight-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. The son is “on the spectrum” and is quite a handful. The pregnancy appears to have been unplanned. Marlo’s husband, Drew (Ron Livingston), is a mellow guy who works hard, but he often travels. Even when he is at home, most of the child-rearing is Marlo’s responsibility. After giving birth to Mia, Marlo is overwhelmed. Her wealthy brother, Craig (Mark Duplass), offers to pay for a night-nanny to help Marlo be less stressed-out for a while. At first, Marlo rejects his offer, but, after one particularly-horrendous day, she decides to give it try.
Tully (Mackenzie Davis – no relation to your illustrious author) is the night-nanny. She’s a cross between Mary Poppins, Keira Knightly, and Yoda! Although only in her mid-twenties, Tully seems to possess considerable wisdom. Tully is great with all the kids, gives superb advice to Marlo, and keeps the house spic-and-span too! Marlo and Tully almost immediately become very close and share intimate details of their lives with each other.
The film doesn’t just go for laughs, however. It addresses, sometimes quite profoundly, the issues of how motherhood affects marriage and how one struggles to stay true to who one was in their 20’s and still have that younger self remain connected to the more routine and less adventurous life in one’s 40’s. Dramas that are this funny and real don’t grow on trees. The performances by Theron and Davis are outstanding. Theron’s performance is AAW, although I doubt that she will get nominated.
The film is about motherhood, so it only seemed appropriate that Robin and I would see it on Mother's Day weekend. I am a fan of screenwriter Diablo Cody ("Juno" – 2007) and Charlize Theron, so I was looking forward to seeing it. The film is a compelling drama, but also quite funny throughout. Although at it's core it's a "chick flick," the film has enough going for it that men will enjoy it, too. Cody has a unique, off-beat, clever, sardonic wit, which I really enjoy. This screenplay was written after Cody had her third child, so it probably has some auto-biographical components. In any case, the movie sure has the "ring of truth" to it. Marlo (Theron) is a very pregnant 40-year-old woman with an eight-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. The son is "on the spectrum" and is quite a handful. The pregnancy appears to have been unplanned. Marlo's husband, Drew (Ron Livingston), is a mellow guy who works hard, but he often travels. Even when he is at home, most of the child-rearing is Marlo's responsibility. After giving birth to Mia, Marlo is overwhelmed. Her wealthy brother, Craig (Mark Duplass), offers to pay for a night-nanny to help Marlo be less stressed-out for a while. At first, Marlo rejects his offer, but, after one particularly-horrendous day, she decides to give it try. Tully (Mackenzie Davis – no relation to your illustrious author) is the night-nanny. She's a cross between Mary Poppins, Keira Knightly, and Yoda! Although only in her mid-twenties, Tully seems to possess considerable wisdom. Tully is great with all the kids, gives superb advice to Marlo, and keeps the house spic-and-span too! Marlo and Tully almost immediately become very close and share intimate details of their lives with each other. The film doesn't just go for laughs, however. It addresses, sometimes quite profoundly, the issues of how motherhood affects marriage and how one struggles to stay true to who one was in their 20's and still have that younger self remain connected to the more routine and less adventurous life in one's 40's. Dramas that are this funny and real don't grow on trees. The performances by Theron and Davis are outstanding. Theron's performance is AAW, although I doubt that she will get nominated.
Tully: A Comedy/Drama With Depth!
Tully: A Comedy/Drama With Depth!
2018-05-16
David
80
8
Original, Funny, and, at Times, Profound!
Terrific Performances By Theron and Davis!
User Rating : No Ratings Yet !
8
