Marval Movie

Tully is part of a trifecta and is not for everyone. I personally love director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody, and actor Charlize Theron.  I loved Juno, Young Adult, and now Tully proved trickier but good. Had to think, not for everyone, seriously – not for everyone, and yet well done. A couple  behind me  - the woman kept saying “ I don’t like dark movies. This is dark. It’s depressing. I don’t like this.”

I wanted to turn and say – Crap, lady – just leave!!!!  But no, I contained myself and she shut up for most of it.  Yes, you had to THINK!!!!

Charlize plays Marlo – pregnant in her 40s with two kids.  One – Jonah – is a challenge – definitely on the autism spectrum and being kicked out of his school as “quirky” in kindergarten. Not good. Husband (the ever patient and solid Ron Livingston) is working hard and giving it his best but is still clueless.  His brother (Mark Duplass) is highly successful and  he and his wife just have it all. Marlo and crew are scraping by.

So we watch her waddle, give birth, and then try to be the perfect mom for all. Can she make the cupcakes?  Can she help Jonah? Is she setting a good example for her daughter? Tough call.  The brother has offered to pay for a night nurse – a woman who will come in, help, and allow Margo to sleep, pull herself together, and be what she needs to be for the family.  Too good to be true?  Mackenzie Davis is Tully – a free spirit young lady with lots of New Age wisdom. We watch Margo relax, seemingly get her crap together, and become the mother she needs to be.

But there’s so much more to this journey.  Motherhood is hard.  Motherhood in the 40s is harder.  This movie has weird twists and turns…….you have to go with it to complete the full creation.   Like I said, it’s odd and yet it works.  Charlize Theron is just beyond fantastic – she can play dumpy and feeling awful, and then be luminescent and real and beautiful. If you see this, you will root for her.

But it’s a tough one!   Enjoy??