[FilmReview]BrittanyRunsaMarathon(2019)6.7/10

ASundanceAudienceAward-winningdramedyfromthetenderfootdirector/writerPaulDownsColaizzo,withitsself-explanatorytitle,BRITTANYRUNSAMARATHON(aboutagirlBrittanywhodecidestoruntheannulNYCmarathonforthefirsttime)isyourusualsuspectsoflife-affirming,motivation-inspiring,slightsyrupy,pastel-huedchickflickaboutathirty-inchinggirl’sendeavortojump-startherstalledlife.Likeumpteenprotagonistsbefore,whatmakesBrittany(Bell)ataddifferentisthatsheisoverweight,andherparty-hard,Adderall-consumingdaysarerunningouttheirmileages,asunderadoctor’sprescription,sheneedstostayhealthier,ergo,neverarunner,herresolutionistotrainherselfinlessthanoneyeartimetofinishafullmarathon,but,hersmustbeabumperroad(otherwise,whybothermakingitintoamovie?ItisbasedonthefactualstoryofColaizzo’sroommate),Brittanymustseverherpreviouslifestyle,forgenewfriendshipwithfellowrunnersandmightormightnotfindherromanticsoulmatealongtheway.Setbackscreepinwithasweepingmove,andonlyintheaftermath-beforethatshehasneverreallyopeneduptoanyone,impededbyherhypersensitivityandself-esteemwhichareintrinsicallykeyedintoherweightandtheimageofappearance-Brittanyneedstogetbackonherfoot(apeptalkspurredbyherbrother-in-lawDemetrius,playbyanearnestHowery,istheclincher),andthegoodnewsisthatNYCmarathonisanannualevent,hopespringseternal.Bellluminouslyinhabitshercharacterwhohasundergoneanastonishing40-poundweightloss,andseizesarareleadingroletoexpressthefrustrationandunder-appreciationasforeverthefat,funnysidekick,Brittanycanbebluntlymean,apointColaizzodoesn’tpullpunches,andBellmakessurethatwecanrelatetoBrittanyevenwhensheisintherockbottom,wecanfeelyourpain,sister!Judiciousguidanceisoverlyappliedtothesupportingcast,inclusivityiseverything,Brittany’snewsweetheartisman-childJern(Ambudkar)ofIndianstock,theymeetinsideaposhhousewheretheysharethepet-sittingjob(howincredibleisthat?),herroommateGretchenisaglamor-seeking,cattyAsian-American(Lee),hernewfellowrunnersarethemarriedgaymanSeth(Stock)andCatherine(Watkins),adivorcé-to-bewhoisfightingforthecustodyofherkids,withmuchmaternalcaretospare,whilethefather-figuretoheristhesaidAfrican-AmericanDemetrius.Industriouslydottingthei’sandcrossingthet’sofapositive-thinkingmessagewithoutbeingtoosentimentalandairy-fairy,andupscalingitselftoanimpeachablepoliticalcorrectiveness,BRITTANY….isanexemplaronbothparties,despitethesimilaritiesinalmosteveryturnofthepages.referentialentries:NishaGanatra’sLATENIGHT(2019,6.4/10);JuddApatow’sTRAINWRECK(2015,5.5/10).本文版权归作者他他所有，任何形式转载请联系作者。