Causeway

 

Causeway is a drama film produced and starring Jennifer Lawrence as Lynsey, a soldier struggling to readjust to life in her hometown of New Orleans while recovering from a traumatic brain injury. The film marks Lila Neugebauer’s directorial debut and features a talented ensemble cast including Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond, Jayne Houdyshell, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Russell Harvard.

The film's pacing is deliberate but thought-provoking, with many silent reflective moments that reveal more through what is left unsaid. The themes of PTSD, trauma, loneliness, friendship, and family dynamics are woven throughout the narrative, and the title "Causeway" serves as a metaphor for the journeys of the film's characters. Like a literal causeway, the road is uncertain and even terrifying until you cross that path.

The casting of Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry is unconventional yet inspired. Lawrence's performance feels like a true return to form, displaying the range that made her famous in films like Silver Linings Playbook. It's disappointing that she wasn't nominated for any major awards, but Henry's nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 95th Academy Awards was well-deserved and opens up exciting possibilities for him as a leading man. As Anna Smith from Time Out put it, "both actors are terrific: Lawrence is understated and compelling while Henry is by turns sympathetic, amusing and heartbreaking". The only criticism I have is that I would have liked a deeper exploration of each character's backstory.

In the end, Causeway is a sympathetic drama that does a great job showing the humanity and kindness in others through shared trauma and connection. While the slow pacing and lack of deeper character development may not be for everyone, the strong performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry make it worth watching. As a movie-goer, I would definitely recommend giving Causeway a chance.