Carl Roberts 
“With an exceptional performance from Jennifer Lawrence, Die My Love is a disturbing look at mental illness, one that hits home.”
Hold onto yourselves. Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love is almost here. The film, an adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s 2012 novel Die, My Love, titled Matate, amor in the original Spanish, is hitting screens this Friday. Featuring superb acting performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, the film is a disturbing look into the postpartum depression mental breakdown of a young mother. Also featuring LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, and Sissy Spacek, the film is raw. But it also features some black comedy to boot. Can the film become a major blockbuster in its own right? Or is it too confusing to be considered a great film?
PREMISE
Grace and Jackson, a young couple who move from New York City to Jackson’s rural childhood home in Montana, are in search of a quieter life. As they adjust to their new surroundings and become parents, Grace begins to struggle with feelings of isolation and psychological distress. Her deteriorating mental health gradually drives their marriage into unsettling and unpredictable territory.
THOUGHTS
The film will prove to be decisive, to say the least. The subject material is shocking and raw. The depiction of a young mother spiralling down the rabbit hole of postpartum depression most certainly won’t be to everyone’s tastes. And that, in itself, is a shame. The film deserves to find a large audience. It has heaps of black comedy to temper the dramatic moments it contains. It also includes a lot of the foulest language at times, as well as full nudity from both main stars. While some may be turned off by this aspect, in the case of Jennifer Lawrence, it adds more drama to her role. It shows the mental anguish and feelings she is suffering with. There is some startling imagery alongside some heartbreaking choices her character makes along the way.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE
Jennifer Lawrence delivers a brilliant, heartfelt performance as Grace. When we first encounter her, she is a free spirit, someone who enjoys life, is complete fun, and a loving partner to Jackson. She shows no sign of the mental trauma she will begin to suffer once she gives birth to their child. The first signs are worrying but are passed off as normal. However, as she spirals out of control, we watch her become a completely different person. Where there was fun, there is now despair. Where she enjoyed life, she now feels as if it is ending. Suffering from hallucinations of a car, driven by LaKeith Stanfield as Karl, stalking her, Grace slowly undergoes a complete mental breakdown. Jennifer Lawrence gives what should rightfully be an Oscar-nominated performance as Grace. It is possibly one of her strongest performances to date.
ROBERT PATTINSON
Robert Pattinson plays an understated role as Jackson. While this is Jennifer Lawrence’s film all the way, Pattinson is superb as the husband and father who must watch his beloved wife spiral into the depths of depression. He watches helplessly as Grace acts strangely and becomes aggressive toward him for no apparent reason. He cannot fathom what is going on; he can only deal with her change as best he can. She drives him to exasperation at almost every turn.
But no matter what she does, Jackson can’t help but love her, to watch out for her as best he can, all the while struggling with his own feelings for what’s going on. Pattinson gives a quiet, emotional performance here, one that perfectly complements Jennifer Lawrence’s. He also gets to paint her toenails as they both sit naked on the floor of their new home. That’s something you didn’t expect or think you’d see.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
The screenplay by Lynne Ramsay, Enda Walsh, and Alice Birch is one that is deserving of recognition. Their adaptation of the novel leaves nothing out. It depicts the mental anguish of not only Grace but of Jackson and all those around them. Along the way, it throws up some brilliant moral questions, with answers we may not be comfortable with. It is rich with characterisation throughout, bringing a realistic, emotional, and extremely raw feeling to the proceedings. It does get confusing from time to time, but that is the point. What is real and what is all in Grace’s mind? Even the final sequence has us questioning what we are seeing. Is it real, or is it the last tangible link Grace has to her sanity? It’s all up to the viewer’s interpretation.
Lynne Ramsay’s direction is assured. She brings the story to us in vivid, bright, dark and haunting images. She elicits excellent performances from her cast while never losing sight of what she and the film are trying to say and convey. She directs proceedings with the style and flair we have come to expect in her movies. The film is a thriller, but Lynne Ramsay has labelled it as a dark comedy. Both are right. The film is thrilling but has a cutting wit to it that shines through. The director herself says the film is “my kind of comedy and love story, so it’s going to be dark and f****d-up”. And she’s right.
VERDICT
With an exceptional performance from Jennifer Lawrence, Die My Love is a disturbing look at mental illness, one that hits home. From the calm and uplifting opening to its shocking final scene, the film is a must-see. While I won’t say it will sweep the Oscars next year, it deserves to gain a handful of nominations. At times, it is visually stunning; at others, it is a nightmare scenario. Again, we don’t know what is real or what is a delusion. It keeps us on our toes while also making us laugh nervously at times. It also makes us think, to feel sorry for Grace while also feeling sorry for Jackson. It presents a scenario that is relevant worldwide. The subject of postpartum depression is a tricky one to tackle. Thankfully, the film manages to accomplish it.
With the final image burned into our minds, we take our leave of the film, ready to ponder the issues it has raised over almost two hours. It isn’t a comfortable conversation to have, and it isn’t a nice subject to discuss. But it is something we have to face and confront, whether we like it or not. Lynne Ramsay’s film allows us the courtesy of making our own minds up, never giving us the answers we crave. Again, it will prove divisive. But no matter which way you look at it, this is a superior piece of movie entertainment. Raw, uncompromising, funny, troubling, and emotionally draining, Die My Love is a worthy watch even if it makes us uncomfortable throughout.
Die My Love will be in US cinemas from November 7th, and the United Kingdom on November 14th, courtesy of MUBI.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
