Movie Breakdown: Tully
Pre-Screening Stance:
If you ask me, the last legit good movie from Jason Reitman was his 2009 effort, Up In The Air. What the heck happened to that guy? In any case, for Tully he’s back with Diablo Cody, who wrote two of his previous flicks, Young Adult (a film I didn’t really care for) and Juno (a film I loved in 2007 but haven’t seen since). In other words, I have no idea what to expect from Tully.
Post-Screening Ramble:
Director Jason Reitman’s Tully pulled me in a lot of directions. It’s centered around Marlo (Charlize Theron), a worn out mother who just can’t seem to get off the struggle bus. She’s got a newborn who needs her attention, a daughter who needs her attention, and a socially challenged son who needs even more of her attention. In addition to the young-ins, she’s also got a work-occupied husband (Ron Livingston) and a whole slew of unmet personal goals that linger over her on a daily basis. Things, as you’ve probably guessed, aren’t good for her, and it’s not long into the movie before you realize she’s teetering on the edge of a breakdown. In an attempt to provide some help, Marlo’s brother, Craig (Mark Duplass), offers to hire her a night nanny just to at least get her through the first few months of newborn action. Initially, Marlo isn’t interested in the idea of someone else bonding with kiddo #3, but eventually she gives in and along comes Tully (Mackenzie Davis), a precocious and caring young woman who immediately makes a difference. Marlo is well rested, the house is clean, extra things (like cupcakes for the kids to take to school) are handled, and – for the first time in a long while – she can actually breathe and smile. Hell, by this point in the film, even I felt relieved by Tully’s presence. Watching Marlo in a never ending uphill climb is similar to taking a direct dose of anxiety, and even though her moment of solace is short-lived, that stretch of the film where she’s unburdened made me feel as free as can be, which just goes to show how Reitman’s latest is a largely brutal effort. It shreds the made-for-TV parts of parenthood and shows you all the tough stuff, and then on top of that it makes you doubt you could pull it off even with the right help. And to think I want kids.
I know I’ve made Tully out to be some sort of horror film, but it isn’t. Yes, it’s not quite an easy watch, but it does have plenty of moments that are funny, charming and heartfelt. You should see it. It’ll remind you that being a parent isn’t easy, and you’ll get to watch one of Charlize Theron’s best performances.
One Last Thought:
Big ups to Charlize Theron for once again proving that her body is capable of crazy things. I mean, just last year she looked liked this in Atomic Blonde, and now she’s pulled off this appearance for Tully. Whoa now.
