Causeway

Causeway

4/11/2022 1h 34m 6.5/10

Overview

A US soldier suffers a traumatic brain injury while fighting in Afghanistan and struggles to adjust to life back home in New Orleans. When she meets local mechanic James, the pair begin to forge an unexpected bond.

Director

Christopher Surgent

Top Billed Cast

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

Lynsey

Stephen McKinley Henderson

Stephen McKinley Henderson

Dr. Lucas

Linda Emond

Linda Emond

Gloria

Brian Tyree Henry

Brian Tyree Henry

James

Russell Harvard

Russell Harvard

Justin

Jayne Houdyshell

Jayne Houdyshell

Sharon

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

11/19/2022

6/10

"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.

Similar Movies

Dances with Wolves

7.8

Dances with Wolves

1990

The Passion of the Christ

7.5

The Passion of the Christ

2004

Little Miss Sunshine

7.7

Little Miss Sunshine

2006

Gone with the Wind

7.9

Gone with the Wind

1939

Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

6.5

Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

2002

A Streetcar Named Desire

7.6

A Streetcar Named Desire

1951

Boys Don't Cry

7.4

Boys Don't Cry

1999

The Experiment

7.4

The Experiment

2001

Pocketful of Miracles

7.3

Pocketful of Miracles

1961

Home Away from Home

0.0

Home Away from Home

1993

Secret Beyond the Door

6.5

Secret Beyond the Door

1947