Tully (2018)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  9 / 10

  Tully beautifully depicts the challenges and rewards of motherhood. Reitman and Cody are back from their previous collaboration 'Juno' to create a simple yet visceral view on parenting and mental illness. Marlo recently gives birth to her third child and is hit with a wave of depression and sleep depravity to which she resorts into employing night nanny Tully. An incredibly basic story that will hardly start a new wave of dramas about pregnancy and motherhood, yet that's part of the alluring charm. The understated plot and the way Reitman executes the narrative just felt fresh, as if watching a cinematic piece of innovation. For him to use Cody's humorous screenplay that eloquently balances wit with philosophical tendencies and then blend it with his personalised directing style was yet another success. The screenplay enables us to emotionally connect with Marlo as a struggling mother who's pride enabled sleep depravity to sneak in and take control of her. Obtaining Theron to be the lead actress was of paramount importance. She. Is. Just. So. Good. I can't quite put into words how phenomenal she is in this. The frustration of parenting, the internal combat of staying awake and the joyous moments of glee, she portrayed every emotion like the majestic acting Goddess that she is. The combination of both the lead performance and the script resulted in a heartwarming illustration of what, I'm sure, most mothers go through. I could feel Marlo's fatigue wearing her down like a child licking an ice lolly, I could sense the inner torment of wanting to just lie down and give up. But as Reitman conveys towards its conclusion, the challenges that arise are met with the rewarding possibilities of caring for another soul. Your own flesh and blood. Your child. The inclusion of Tully in Marlo's current hectic life gave off a sense of relief, a moment to breathe amidst the chaos. The bond between these two characters was exceptional and certainly inserted various laugh out loud scenes. It is a short runtime, and so I felt the pace was a tad too quick and rushed. However, this is Reitman's best work by far.

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