Anna Kendrick is believable portraying, Alice, a young woman on the brink of a melt-down trying to save her own identity from being crushed by an all-consuming relationship. Kendrick brings honest vulnerability to this role admitting she drew, in part, from her own experience in a similar relationship.
Kendrick is known for her talent seen in comedies and musicals, including acting in Up in the Air and singing in musicals and the Pitch Perfect franchise. But this is a serious film. Control is the name of the game for Alice’s ever-demanding boyfriend, Simon (Charlie Carrick). He is a handsome second-tier artist who has to control whatever he has or wants.
Simon smothers Alice to the point of self harm, mentally and physically. He constantly texts and calls to know what she’s doing and where she’s going every minute. He even demands sexy selfies she has to take and send him immediately. Director Mary Nighy and Writer Alanna Francis effectively show how disgusting Simon’s behavior is and its horribly it affects Alice. She gets so nervous and agitated, she compulsively pulls out junks of her hair. You can see agitation, confusion and conflict on her face as if she knows it’s wrong, but can’t help it.
When Alice is invited to go for a week vacation at a lake house with her closest girlfriends, Tess (Kaniehtiio Horn) and Sophie (Wunmi Mosaku), she has to nervously sneak away. She lies, telling Simon she has to go out of town for work which makes her even more agitated.
Her friends notice Alice being withdrawn, combative and uptight, always checking her phone as if she’s on a leash. Worse, she won’t confide in her best friends the details of this destructive relationship, even though they see through it. This film becomes an intervention once her friends figure out what’s really going on and confront her. Then when Simon shows up, is Alice strong enough to reclaim her life?
This is a story of female empowerment as one example of the #meToo movement of not letting anyone take control of your life. It also highlights the importance of supportive female friendships. The pace is slow and a little belabored, but with an important message about mental health. Kendrick convincingly displays her character’s constant inner turmoil, and shows, with help from her friends, Alice is no one’s only darling.
Lionsgate. 1 hour 30 minutes. R
In theaters only.
