Causeway

**By: Louisa Moore / www.ScreenZealots.com** _This film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival_ It’s tricky to tell a story about the impacts of trauma, and director Lila Neugebauer handles the subject with a sensitive, deft hand in her feature film debut “Causeway.” This intimate independent film is one with a narrative of pain, healing, and friendship, culminating in an extremely effective (and very human) drama. While in Afghanistan working for the Army Corps of Engineers, Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence) was part of a convoy that was attacked and hit by an explosive device. She suffered significant injuries to her body and brain, and has spent months in a tough rehabilitation program. Now the woman is finally going back to her home in New Orleans, where she is having difficulties adjusting to her return to normal society. As is the case with many veterans, Lynsey wants to redeploy, but her doctor refuses to give her the recommendation she so desperately wants. To pass the time, she takes a job cleaning pools, and when her truck breaks down on the way to work, Lynsey meets a mechanic named James (Brian Tyree Henry). The two form a bond through their mutual traumatic pasts and wounds both psychological and physical, which turns their relationship into something more complex. The story is one of anguish, but also one of healing. You can feel the sense of inner turmoil and torment that weighs down on James and Lynsey, sinking their will to live. It’s a deeply intimate drama with a simple, strong story that makes a huge impact. Neugebauer’s film and storytelling are both beautifully crafted, further refined by the powerful, reserved performances from Lawrence and Henry (which are also among the two actors’ best work to date). Their chemistry is believable and their performances aren’t flashy, which makes for a powerful drama about broken people who need help and find it in each other. “Causeway” is painfully eloquent in a way that makes it so much more than just another trauma drama. It’s a somber look at the way humans must suffer in order to heal, and the film captures this sentiment and feeling in the most potent way.

"Lynsey" (Jennifer Lawrence) is on her way to a job when her truck breaks down. Seeking help from mechanic "James" (Brian Tyree Henry) she appears reluctant to give him her number. She claims she doesn't recall it... He is sceptical, but as the story now evolves we discover that this young woman is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan where she suffered an injury to her brain. With the help of him, and her physician "Dr. Lucas" (Stephen McKinley Henderson) she now tries to put some semblance of order - and fulfilment - back into her life. It is interesting, this film, insofar as it considers the perspective of a woman returning from conflict. Assumptions are made that would probably not be made about her male counterparts, and director Lila Neugebauer tries hard to ensure that how American society deals with these distinctions is writ large. Lawrence delivers quite well, she offers a nuanced effort that can be quite poignant at times, especially as we - and "James" get to know her character more, and as that character begins to emerge from her shell of shame, embarrassment and mistrust. It's not very well paced, though. Despite being only ninety minutes, I felt the points reiterated just once to often and the dialogue didn't really offer much succour to either the actors or the audience. We are left to assume too much; to project our own opinions and sympathies on her persona, and without ever possibly being able to empathise that left me feeling the drama was just a bit too sterile. As with many films depicting the struggle of returning soldiers to fit in and flourish at home, it has a profound message to send - but as a piece of cinema, there are too many lingering close ups, the score is really weak and unimaginative and it's nothing much to write home about.

MORE SPOILER-FREE MINI-REVIEWS @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/other-films-watched-lff-2022 "Causeway possesses detailed, subtle performances by Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry - excellent chemistry - who truly carry the film on their shoulders. Lila Neugebauer doesn't bring anything new to the military subgenre of "veteran returns home", but she knows how to give the spotlight to the actors, making the best possible decisions for them to shine. Formulaic and predictable but interesting enough for fans of these types of stories." Rating: B-