Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Brittany Runs a Marathon is based on the true story of one woman taking control of her life, and the way that Writer/Director Paul Downs Colaizzo tells this story, while one small problematic aspect gets in the way is truly inspiring and heartwarming and provides a really beautiful message that was needed this year. Brittany Runs a Marathon is delightful from start to finish sharing a positive message with no alternative message or heavy-handedness; thank you to everyone involved for bringing this to the big screen.
Brittany (Jillian Bell) just wants to change her life and get in shape. She’s a New Yorker and is just trying to keep up with the daily hustle of everyday life and while living with a friend, Gretchen (Alice Lee) who honestly is sort of awful and running into her enemy neighbour who eventually becomes less of an enemy and more of a friend Catherine (Michaela Watkins) all help her through this change.
Brittany Runs a Marathon is charming and real and we love that the character of Brittany is doing it for herself. There’s no man driving her to become someone else, there’s no nagging best friend or parent, it’s just the goal of becoming healthier and happier with oneself that makes this movie so wholesome and honestly endearing.
Moreover though is the fact that Jillian Bell went and decided to become the character she was playing. She trained to run marathons, she lost the weight the character did, and this wasn’t a decision requested of her, she just wanted to become Brittany. We hear about actors doing this all the time, meanwhile Bell did it because she was passionate about the project and wanted to make sure she did the role justice. Her performance is so inspiring and oddly enough, familiar to her previous roles. She brings the funny, while packing the emotional punch that makes this Film so great.
As I mentioned earlier I have an issue with the Movie, and it comes in the form of Brittany’s change in her lifestyle from the beginning. She starts jogging and running right off the bat and there is no crushing defeat. It is unrealistic to go from not being a runner to running two miles without hurting oneself. It’s not something entirely feasible, and while the Movie does have an obstacle, something has to be said about this. It is incredibly hard to go from 0-100 based solely on mental preparation, there has to be a build-up and progress.
Brittany Runs a Marathon sends a message that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, that is for you and only you. There is no ulterior motive, there is no man Brittany wants to impress, there is just her and for that reason amongst everything else, this is one of the absolute must-see movies this year. Don’t walk, briskly jog (unless you’re a runner, then run) to see it!
Elevation Pictures releases BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON Friday, August 30, 2019.
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