IR Film Review: DIE MY LOVE [MUBI]
The intention of "Die My Love" from director Lynn Ramsey skirts the idea between reality and the metaphorical nature of being. The film mostly follows Grace played by Jennifer Lawrence. Grace is a wild spirit but like anyone sees the path to settle down with Jackson (Robert Pattinson) but as often in life, things don't go as they should. After they have a baby, she begins to feel trapped (but this is also because this house they move into seems very isolated). There is also a darkness to the house which is alluded to but not overly explained. The acting for the most part is superb with actually Pattinson of all people being the least impactful. His parents, played by Sissy Spacek and (briefly Nick Nolte), are some of the best in the film but more so with Lawrence on her own. One scene of Lawrence tying Nolte's shoes has such reverence that you know what these older actors mean to Lawrence as a person. This is one of Lawrence's best performances in years but also she has stepped back as well; her only recent film being Netflix's "Don't Look Up" which was more star ensemble exercise than anything else. "No Hard Feelings" was a studio comedy per se. However "Feelings" did have a couple magical moments that seem more organic than some of the scenes in "Die My Love".
We see the different things that affect Grace but her journey is her own. Jackson, through his own shortcomings, doesn't allow what Grace needs. Pattinson plays it with aplomb but also with a distance. But even as a wedding night shows, maybe she is not ready in her own mind for this life. Lakeith Steinfeld plays a plot fueled side character but the reasoning beyond primal is a little weak and just meant to prove a point. Ramsey wants to create, like Terrence Malick who also stumbles when he does this, to create a slice of life that is both existential but also solitary. Some of the imagery especially with the overhanging clouds really set the scene (though the score is muted in many ways). This film is supposed to be set in upstate New York but the plains are too vast so the reality and the forests are definitely skewed (the movie was shot in Alberta). There was a lot of buzz on this out of Cannes (this reviewer tried to get in to see it three times) but that is also motivated by the star power in it.
Lawrence is of course ever more free because it is a smaller film (so she can push the envelope) and it is a good character piece though alot is left inside to unpack as to why. Alot of it of course is fueled in the narrative as a result of post partum depression. Lawrence has recently become a mother in the past few years so understandably this does speak to her even if it wasn't her experience. Pattinson is more reactionary at times because that is all the character can really do. But again certain scenes between Lawrence and more aptly Sissy Spacek are beautifully done...but charged and easeless at the same time. One part has Lawrence walking to Spacek's house with her new baby and letting herself in, only to be met with a shotgun. The scene ebbs and builds again from here. There is a knowing in Spacek (her turn is Supporting Actress nomination material) and the lull and loss of Nolte's character lingers on her. Nolte's shaking in the scenes is obviously affecting him in real life but the authenticity and empathy (while her rage lingers underneath) by Lawrence is palpable with Nolte still sureness in his character. The movie's story though is not as tight as it should be and while meandering is part of the process of the characters, the puzzle pieces are not as impactful or cinematic save for the few scenes mentioned...and one car accident. "Die My Love" is definitely about a journey but one that jumps around a little too much while being vague in certain ways and hyper vigilant in others. B-
By Tim Wassberg
