Garcy Reviews LOIP
Garcy is a big contributor to np.com and is someone that can definitely be critical of Natalie’s films (we’ve butted heads plenty of times :-P). All of which makes THIS the most important review of the film so far. Enjoy.
Saw LAOIP at a screening yesterday filled with a responsive audience. I went in with low expectations. I knew the film wasn’t going to blow me away because the novel certainly didn’t. A friend of mine suffered a perinatal loss very recently so the subject matter carried some weight for me. The film could have easily been overwrought and weepy but Roos handled the heaviness of the circumstances with enough subtlety so as not to overwhelm the viewer. I only had one issue with a key scene involving Natalie and Scott Cohen’s character that could’ve used a bit more emotional punch.
Natalie does a fine job carrying the entire film on her petite shoulders. It’s a meaty role and she’s in almost every scene. There is no trace of girlishness from her, instead we see her play a real adult woman – and I bought it.