Causeway

Staying on her own, Lynsey finds a job as a pool cleaner to keep busy and make some money. She’s given a truck to use for work and when it craps out, she ends up at an auto shop owned by James (Brian Tyree Henry) who says he can fix it also showing some compassion for the young woman who seems to be in need. What’s his story? Is he interested in her? Or just trying to help someone down on their luck? Tyree Henry is known for his work in comedy, but here he’s able to show a more sensitive, dramatic side which he executes well.

Lawrence looks gaunt in this film, always staring off into space as she’s walking around the streets of New Orleans. Cinematographer Diego Garcia captures the feel of the laid back city well. Lawrence is a natural beauty, but there’s a continual sadness in her eyes and her gait. As she runs into James and they get more comfortable with each other, they slowly begin to gain each other’s trust. But we lost some of the dialogue, his especially, spoken so quietly, under his breath.

There are a couple of points in the film that don’t ring true. In one instance, Lynsey reveals sexual orientation to James, but another scene seems to indicate otherwise. And we finally find out more about James, why he has a bum leg from a past tragedy of his own. And, very late in the film, director Neugebauer and the writers drop in a surprise reveal about another family relationship. Ultimately, it felt out of place and interrupted the flow of the other plot lines.