Streaming
Service: Amazon
Prime
Movie
Name/Year: Brittany
Runs A Marathon (2019)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Length: 104 minutes
Rating:
R
Production/Distribution: Material Pictures, Picture
Films, Amazon Studios, Amazon Prime Video, DCM Film Distribution, Diamond
Films, Elevation Pictures, The Searchers
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Writers: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Actors: Jillian Bell, LilRel Howery,
Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Micah Stock, Alice Lee
Blurb from IMDb: A young woman decides to
make positive changes in her life by training for the New York City Marathon.
Cat’s
Point of View:
I remember being interested in this movie when it was up for
consideration for our August 2019 Top 20. It wasn’t quite clear to me whether
this was going to have more of a dramatic slant or would delve further into
comedy. It didn’t quite make the final cut for our lists, though now I’m
wishing that it had.
Jillian Bell’s (Goosebumps,
Fist Fight, Rough Night) quirky brand of comedy is generally on point. I
love the juxtaposition her characters find themselves in where her actions or
dialogue is unexpected in comparison to her demeanor. You just don’t expect her
to say half the things that come out of her mouth sometimes.
My initial reaction was worry that this film would become
something along the lines of a fat-shaming lampoon or an overly in-your-face ‘respect
everyone’ preach fest. I am very glad to report that neither was the case. I
am, frankly, shocked that this is the first full-length feature for
Off-Broadway playwright Paul Downs Colaizzo (MacGyver, LFE). He captured the essence of these characters in a
very relatable and honest way. The comedy laced throughout felt organic and
seamlessly flowed, avoiding the common pitfalls of obvious schtick.
Of course, it likely helped that this tale was based on the journey of self-discovery of the writer/director’s good friend and former
roommate.
I had a rather intense reaction to this film. I’ve struggled
with my weight pretty much since middle school. It is not a fun roller coaster
to be on. I recognized every moment of doubt and trepidation the titular
character experiences. Bell’s performance was riveting. It was as if I was
right there with her, looking at myself in the mirror with all the little
negative voices that accompany not liking what you see. I felt the gut-punch
from the attitude and lack of support from others and how hard it is to ask for
or receive help on even the most basic levels.
There were so many meaningful moments throughout this film,
and yet it wasn’t too heavy. It was gracefully balanced with humor so that it
kept things light enough that you just knew there’d be light at the end of that
proverbial tunnel. I was further impressed to learn that this film was the first
non-documentary to film during the actual New York Marathon.
I would certainly recommend this movie, even though I may
not be able to watch it again for some time due to the level I emotionally
relate to it. It was phenomenal.
P.S. - During the credits, images are shown of the marathon journey of the real-life Brittany whom this story was based on.
Rotten
Tomatoes Critic Score –
88%
Rotten
Tomatoes Audience Score – 87%
Metascore – 72%
Metacritic
User Score –
5.7/10
IMDB
Score –
6.8/10
CinemaScore – None
Trust
the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
Movie
Trailer:
film during the actual New York Marathon?
ReplyDelete