There might not be a better combination of director, writer, and star than Jason Reitman, Diablo Cody and Charlize Theron, who previously collaborated on the delightfully wicked “Young Adult” (Cody also penned the Oscar-winning screenplay for Reitman’s “Juno”). Their new film, “Tully,” brings the trio back in top form, creating one of the year’s best films so far.
As a disclaimer, as my byline suggests I’m not a mother. I’m also not a parent and have little intention to change that. Through Reitman’s empathetic lens and Cody’s sharp screenplay, “Tully” brings us into the world of Theron’s character and delivers a portrait of motherhood like most movies wouldn’t have the courage to. It’s a testament to the filmmakers when an audience can fully understand what the characters are going through, even with no direct experiences mirroring what is put on screen.
Marlo (Theron) has her hands full with two children but is expecting her third any day. One night, she and her husband, Drew (Ron Livingston), are at her brother Craig’s (Mark Duplass) home for dinner. There is a bit of anxiety already going over to Craig’s, who lives in a modern mansion, opposed to Marlo and Drew’s more modest means. Craig wants to offer a different kind of present to Marlo and Drew for their child and suggests hiring a night nanny for them. Marlo sneers at the thought of a stranger coming into their home and taking care of their newborn but hesitantly obliges in a moment when juggling three children has become too much.
There’s skepticism right up until the first knock at the front door from the nanny. Tully (Mackenzie Davis) enters their home with a mega-watt smile, eager to give Marlo the night to herself to sleep. It takes some adjusting but Marlo feels a weight off her shoulders, even for a few hours a night, when she can sleep soundly with Tully caring for the baby downstairs. As time goes on, Marlo and Tully form a friendship and realize they aren’t as different as Marlo originally thought.
The richness of “Tully” lies in its ability to keep surprising with its thoughtful consideration of motherhood. It doesn’t depict parenting as daylong playdates but dares to suggest it can be overwhelming and allows Marlo to want to spend some time away from her children. Drew helps with homework and making lunches but he travels for work and likes to play video games when he is home at night. The movie never condemns him for not taking on all the same stress as Marlo but shows how parenthood affects each person differently. There isn’t a moment of judgement within “Tully.”
Theron has been flexing her bona fides as an action star with movies like "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Atomic Blonde," but "Tully" is a gentle reminder that she is one of our finest actresses working today. The layers she brings out in Marlo, aided by Cody's screenplay, could only be found by a performer willing to dig deep into the heart and soul of a character. Her Oscar-winning performance in "Monster" brought nuance to a serial killer and created one of the all-time great screen performances. "Tully" is further a exhibition of Theron's unending range. Davis, who has amassed an impressive roster of supporting roles in big projects, is a true breakout, bringing warmth and a soothing aura to Tully.
Reitman's early career was much more lauded than his last few movies (though, I'm one of the few who liked "Men, Women and Children") but "Tully" is a true return to what the director does so well. Whether centering on a pregnant high school student or a delusional author, Reitman navigates the inner workings of his characters like they are real people and not just part of a movie. What has been lacking in his last few features has never been more vibrantly alive than in "Tully."
| Movie title | Tully |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2018 |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | Jason Reitman, Diablo Cody, and Charlize Theron team up in their second collaboration for an honest, funny and engaging look at motherhood. |
