CAUSEWAY
US, 2022, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond, Jayne Houdyshell, Fred Weller.
Directed by Lila Neugebauer.
The title: Causeway – a raised road or track across low or wet ground. So, a metaphor for the journey back to physical and mental health for the central character of this brief drama, Linsey, played by Jennifer Lawrence, memories of her early career with Winter Bone and the Oscar for the Silver Linings’ Playbook, Causeway offering one of her best performances.
Linsey has served in Afghanistan, experienced an explosion, some brain damage, PTSD, returning home, her mother rather cold and lacking in affection towards her, in hospital, rehabilitation, wanting to get out. Eventually, she does get some work in pool cleaning. Some emotional complications with her sexual orientation. A long road to recovery.
Difficulties with the car, an encounter with a mechanic, James, played by Brian Tyree Henry (Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor), who has his own traumas and mental health issues, especially the accidental death of a nephew on a Louisiana Causeway.
The film is very much a matter of dialogue, conversations between Linsey and James, talking, listening, the possibilities for healing.
- The title? The path over, leading to a destination? (And the accident on the Causeway leading to James’s nephew’s death and its repercussions for him?)
- The New Orleans setting, ordinary, homes, hospital, rehabilitation, motor mechanics, the bar? The musical score?
- Linsey and her story, the initial impact, the touch of alienation, the back story, Afghanistan, the explosion, her injury, brain injury, PTSD, at home, hospital, psychologist and carer, physiotherapy, recovery? Her eagerness to be out and about again? The restraints?
- Lynsey and her relationship with her mother, the lack of affection, the judgements about her, interactions, with her brother? Lynsey and her sexual orientation?
- The encounter with James, his background, the death of his nephew, his experience of stress?
- The two, their meeting, Jameson’s hesitation, Lynsey and her reserve, their beginning to talk, to listen, the bonding, human relationships in rebuilding broken people?
- Lynsey, wanting a job, the swimming pools, the boss, interactions with him?
- Lynsey, gradual recovery, James, recovery? Future?
