A motherhood double feature that's both brutal and brilliant, 'Die My Love' and 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' are cinematic masterclasses that will leave you shaken but ultimately changed. These two films, released around the same time, tackle similar themes of motherhood, but with vastly different approaches, resulting in a unique viewing experience.
In Mary Bronstein's 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', Rose Byrne delivers a performance for the ages as Linda, a therapist on the brink of collapse. Her life is spiraling out of control – her daughter has an eating disorder, her husband is absent, and her apartment ceiling floods, leaving her feeling utterly lost. This is not just a film about motherhood; it's about the crushing weight of expectations, the suffocating grip of societal pressure, and the desperation that can consume us all.
The film is a masterclass in subtlety, with Bronstein expertly ratcheting up the tension through a combination of haunting visuals, pulsing sound design, and Byrne's remarkable performance. The result is a viewing experience that's both uncomfortable and cathartic – you'll be on edge, but also strangely relieved to have witnessed it.
Meanwhile, Lynne Ramsay's 'Die My Love' is a stunning, achingly beautiful exploration of the same themes, this time through the eyes of Jennifer Lawrence as Grace, a pregnant woman struggling to cope with her new reality. The film is a searing indictment of societal expectations, particularly those placed on women, and the devastating consequences that can result when we're forced to conform.
Ramsay's direction is, as always, precise and elegant, weaving together images of breathtaking beauty with moments of unflinching brutality. Lawrence gives a performance that's both heartbreaking and infuriating – she embodies the contradictions of Grace, who's simultaneously desperate for love and connection, yet simultaneously torn apart by her own emotions.
Together, these two films offer a profound exploration of what it means to be a mother, a woman, and a human being in a world that often seems determined to crush us. They're not 'fun' movies in the classical sense – they're uncomfortable, even brutal – but they're also undeniably rewarding, offering a level of empathy and understanding that's rare in cinema.
In short, if you value your sanity, stay far, far away from these two films unless you have a strong stomach and a willingness to confront the darkest corners of the human experience. But if you're ready for something truly remarkable, something that will challenge you, disturb you, and ultimately leave you changed forever, then 'Die My Love' and 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' are an absolute must-see.
In Mary Bronstein's 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', Rose Byrne delivers a performance for the ages as Linda, a therapist on the brink of collapse. Her life is spiraling out of control – her daughter has an eating disorder, her husband is absent, and her apartment ceiling floods, leaving her feeling utterly lost. This is not just a film about motherhood; it's about the crushing weight of expectations, the suffocating grip of societal pressure, and the desperation that can consume us all.
The film is a masterclass in subtlety, with Bronstein expertly ratcheting up the tension through a combination of haunting visuals, pulsing sound design, and Byrne's remarkable performance. The result is a viewing experience that's both uncomfortable and cathartic – you'll be on edge, but also strangely relieved to have witnessed it.
Meanwhile, Lynne Ramsay's 'Die My Love' is a stunning, achingly beautiful exploration of the same themes, this time through the eyes of Jennifer Lawrence as Grace, a pregnant woman struggling to cope with her new reality. The film is a searing indictment of societal expectations, particularly those placed on women, and the devastating consequences that can result when we're forced to conform.
Ramsay's direction is, as always, precise and elegant, weaving together images of breathtaking beauty with moments of unflinching brutality. Lawrence gives a performance that's both heartbreaking and infuriating – she embodies the contradictions of Grace, who's simultaneously desperate for love and connection, yet simultaneously torn apart by her own emotions.
Together, these two films offer a profound exploration of what it means to be a mother, a woman, and a human being in a world that often seems determined to crush us. They're not 'fun' movies in the classical sense – they're uncomfortable, even brutal – but they're also undeniably rewarding, offering a level of empathy and understanding that's rare in cinema.
In short, if you value your sanity, stay far, far away from these two films unless you have a strong stomach and a willingness to confront the darkest corners of the human experience. But if you're ready for something truly remarkable, something that will challenge you, disturb you, and ultimately leave you changed forever, then 'Die My Love' and 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' are an absolute must-see.
. Like, I love how both Rose Byrne and Jennifer Lawrence bring these incredibly complex characters to life, but also, can we talk about how harsh they are on their respective mothers? It's like, I get it, being a mom is tough, but do we have to watch it on repeat like a trainwreck 
? On the other hand, I appreciate how both films tackle these sensitive themes with such care and precision - it's not always easy to watch, but sometimes that's exactly what we need 
. For me, 'Die My Love' is still more of my cup of tea, just because Lynne Ramsay's direction is so effortlessly cool 
, but 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' has this haunting quality to it that really gets under your skin 
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her performance in if i had legs is giving me major chills, and jennifer lawrence is just so beautifully, heartbreakingly human in die my love 
. And Rose Byrne's performance? Wow, just wow. It's like she's screaming all the things we're too afraid to say out loud.
. These movies are a reminder that we're all struggling, even when it feels like we have it all together 
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these films sound like SO intense 
and Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal of vulnerability in 'Die My Love' is breaking my heart 
!!! Both films tackling similar themes but with different approaches, it's like a double feature for the soul 
. Can't wait to watch them ASAP 
. I'm not sure if I'd be ready for this level of drama and discomfort... might have to stick to my rom-coms 
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. But at the same time, I want to be prepared and understand what it means to be a mother, a woman, and a human being in this crazy world 
. So yeah, I'll probably end up watching both of these films eventually...but don't expect me to do it anytime soon 
they're like two sides of the same coin - one's a slow burn that builds up to this intense emotional explosion, the other's more of a direct hit 
anyway, i think these films are basically a must-see for anyone who wants to truly understand the complexities of motherhood and womanhood 
. Rather than hitting you over the head with messages of empowerment or self-discovery, both films gently coax you into confronting the darkest corners of your own psyche.
Like, can't we just be real for once? These two films though, they're like a punch in the gut – you don't want to see them, but you kinda need to. Rose Byrne's performance is insane, and Jennifer Lawrence is so heartbreaking it'll make you wanna cry. But honestly, these movies are so raw and unapologetic, it's like they're speaking straight to your soul. I mean, who hasn't felt like they're losing control at some point? It's like the filmmakers are saying 'hey, we get it, life is hard'. And then there's this whole thing about motherhood being these impossible expectations... I'm just over here like *sigh*, can we just have a conversation about our feelings instead of beating ourselves up for not meeting societal standards? 
"if i had legs i'd kick you" is like a masterclass in subtlety - rose byrne's performance is insane & the tension ratchets up so slowly it feels like a slow burn 
. and lynne ramsay's direction is always on point, but this one takes it to a whole new level 
. what i love about these movies tho is how they tackle tough themes like motherhood & societal expectations - they're not 'fun' in the classical sense, but they're so raw & real u can't help but feel all the feels 
. if u value ur sanity, stay away from these 2, but if u r ready for somethin that'll shake u to ur core, then trust me & watch them 
they both tackle the harsh realities of motherhood but from different angles, and honestly, i think that's what makes them so powerful. rose byrne's performance in 'if i had legs i'd kick you' is giving me chills, her character is literally on the edge of sanity and it's like u can feel her desperation through the screen. jennifer lawrence in 'die my love' is equally captivating, her portrayal of grace is so raw and emotional, it's hard not to get swept up in her feelings 
but what i love about these films is that they're not just about motherhood, they're about the human experience - the struggles we all face, no matter who we are or where we come from. 
. But what really struck me was how different they are in tone - one is this hauntingly beautiful exploration of societal pressure, while the other is just plain brutal 
. Rose Byrne's performance in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' is insane - I felt like I was watching my mom's therapist on the brink of a nervous breakdown 
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. For me, both films are about so much more than just motherhood – they're about the pressure we put on ourselves, our daughters (and sons), and the expectations of society. They're not easy watches by any means, but honestly, I think that's what makes them so necessary 
They're like, brutal reminders that we're expected to be perfect and flawless all the time, but nobody ever shows us how to do that 
. Anyway, if you're a fellow human being who can handle the raw emotion, then go for it 
. And then you've got the 'Die My Love' crew, who's all about the beauty and brutality of motherhood 
. They might not be 'fun' movies, but they're like uncomfortable truths we need to confront sometimes 
. So, if you value your sanity, stay far away... or maybe just go in with a strong stomach and a willingness to have some tough conversations 
!