Movie Breakdown: I’m Your Woman
Pre-Screening Stance:
I love a good crime drama, and I’m Your Woman looks like it should be one. Furthermore, Julia Hart (Fast Color, Miss Stevens) is a talented writer/director that everyone needs to be in the know on, so I’m also pulling for this film to get her there.
Post-Screening Ramble:
I’m Your Woman is a crafty film. At its center is Jean (Rachel Brosnahan), the wife of a thief named Eddie (Bill Heck). I realize that’s a light description, but at the start of this film, that’s all she is. Then two things happen: 1) Eddie brings home a baby for her to keep and take care of. 2) Eddie goes missing. The former would be enough to throw anyone for a loop, but when the latter happens, Jean’s existence is fully shifted by the realization that she’s going to have to fend for herself for the first time ever. Additionally, she’s not only in a solo spot, but she’s on the run, as a lot of angry bad boys believe she knows where her husband is hiding.
When you look at that setup, it sounds like this is one of those movies where a previously-kept woman simply has to figure out a way to start over. You know the sort, it would definitely have a montage of quirky, funny moments where she almost drops her kid or nearly sets the kitchen on fire, and it would ironically be set to some classic pop track that’s about being independent. Fortunately, this is not that. I’m Your Woman is a gritty crime drama through and through, and Jean’s growth comes entirely (and harshly) on the fly via a large variety of do or die situations. It’s a very compelling story. It’s also different. I kept waiting for the movie to push Jean to the side in favor of Eddie or some sprawling cast of criminals, but it never veers away from her or its secluded, in-the-dark way of unfolding its plot. Kudos to writer/director Julia Hart for the hyper-focused approach.
Obviously, I really liked I’m Your Woman. You should check it out on Prime Video on December 11.
One Last Thought:
Even though I know they’re different people, Rachel Brosnahan and Evan Rachel Wood still register as the same person to me. They look nearly identical! On a related note, they are very much aware of this.
