Jennifer Lawrence returns to her indie roots in Lila Neugebauer’s feature directorial debut “Causeway.” The film is a moving portrayal of grief, trauma, and friendship that gradually builds up to an emotional gut punch that hits you right in the feels. Neugebauer manipulates the narrative to snuggly fit into a tight 90-minute run-time, but does so in a way that allows “Causeway” to turn into a quiet and sensitive character study. Apple TV once again brings audiences a stirring story packed with emotion, as seen with 2021’s “CODA,” and allows the streaming giant to do what it does best.
Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence) is a U.S. soldier who ends being involved in a catastrophic explosion while serving in Afghanistan, suffering a traumatic brain injury that forces her to come home. Once she’s back home in the sweltering heat of New Orleans, Lynsey now faces a whole new set of issues that include trying to adjust to a normal life away from the chaos of war, dealing with the strained relationship she has with her mother (Linda Edmon), and trying to navigate her newfound friendship with local mechanic James (Brian Tyree Henry). Amidst this, she also tries to make sure she recovers enough to be able to be redeployed. As Lynsey tries to move through this tough period, she must come face-to-face with her issues and try to move forward with her life and her recovery.
An Oscar-Worthy Performance from Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence delivers another Oscar-worthy performance that reminds you why she’s such a decorated actor. The four-time Oscar nominee (with one win already under her belt) shines throughout. Her performance is utterly mesmerising and fully draws you into the film, bringing the nuanced, delicately written script to life. Brian Tyree Henry stars opposite Lawrence in a superb performance that feels like a complete 180 degrees from his comedic performance in David Leitch’s “Bullet Train” earlier this year. It oozes emotion and complexity, while brilliantly bouncing off Lawrence’s engaging performance. The leading pair share a powerful bond together on-screen, which ends up being the most important part of the film as they share deep, emotional conversations that inevitably lead to the formation of a pivotal friendship in both of their lives.
Known more for her directing work in the world of theatre and Broadway, Director Lila Neugebauer smoothly transfers her skills to the big screen, and what results is a quiet, sober, and oddly intimate feature that turns into a knockout 90-minute drama. While “Causeway” may heavily rely on its substance and character development, that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. The film features thought-provoking discussions and a wonderfully thrilling performance from Jennifer Lawrence that make up for the lack of action. Alex Somers creates a beautiful score comprised mostly of the rich tones of a cello that effortlessly flows alongside the quietness of the film and its understated aesthetic. Somers’ work is one of the highlights of the film, making “Causeway” not only a pleasing experience visually, but an equally pleasing audial experience as well.
Setting Apple TV as a Strong Production Company for the Second Year
This is a film that some may see as just another boring character study about one woman and her long road to recovery, but what Lila Neugebauer manages to create is a brilliantly-crafted drama that showcases stunning performances from both leads. With a melodic score that sticks with you long after the credits roll, and lush cinematography that complements the film’s low-key aesthetic (courtesy of Diego García, “Neon Bull,” “Wildlife”), “Causeway” is one of 2022’s more underrated films. But that doesn’t stop it from helping Apple TV solidify itself as one of the strongest producers of this decade.
“Causeway” is available to watch or rent from Apple TV.
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