DIE MY LOVE

I was intrigued by the teaser trailer for this film, which didn't divulge the story immediately. I went in with little knowledge of what was ahead, but anticipated something more physically disturbing. Instead, what was presented was more mental: a portrait of the stages of love as it waxes and wanes, one woman's struggle with postpartum depression, and the battling of demons too big to be confined to a relationship.

These psychological issues are challenging to manifest in the cinematic language, but Lawrence does her best to execute them physically. It's an extremely demanding role for her, with excellent execution. The vulnerability of Grace, both in how she experiences love and her mental hurdles, is expressed through movement and expression. This doesn't at all make Grace a small character; she is animalistic, a ferocious beast hunting its prey. She is the exhibitionist in her relationship, brash and unwilling to shy away from uncomfortable conversations. When this personality melds with the mental struggles, it creates something that is too big for Jackson, for the house, for their community, to handle.

This story began its life as a book, with Martin Scorsese (who produces the film) presenting a copy to Lawrence's production company. It's not titled 'Die, My Love', but 'Matate, amor', from Argentinian author Ariana Harwicz. The original Spanish story was written first-hand from Grace's perspective, giving readers a glimpse of what's happening inside her brain, and saw the couple isolated in the French countryside rather than the remote United States. Grace's psychological state could, arguably, be more wholly conveyed to the reader in the written form. On film, as reality and imagination blur, it's difficult to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. Perhaps this is the desire of director Lynne Ramsay ('You Were Never Really Here', 'We Need To Talk About Kevin') - to put us firmly in the protagonist's mind.

None of this should diminish Robert Pattinson's role in the film. Once again proving he's moved far beyond his early roles (I actually caught flashes of Jake Gyllenhaal while watching this film), he captures a man utterly enamoured with his partner, yet entirely out of his depth with how to help her. After the baby's birth, he's oblivious to Grace's struggles - in the worst moments, Jackson brings home the world's worst-behaved dog, which barks incessantly. As the situation escalates, he has no choice but to acknowledge her situation. At its pinnacle, he is a man filled with despair, yet willing to do anything he can for the one he loves. Lawrence and Pattinson's relationship feels incredibly organic and authentic; both bring a raw truth to their characters, particularly in their most intimate moments, without doubt making the two actors the highlight of the film.

While much of the authenticity comes from this connection, parts of the script let down their work. Pace varies wildly, with much of the story drifting by like a lazy summer's evening. Suddenly, a vital plot point jettisons by in the blink of an eye. Assumedly, some of the adaptation from book to screen has compromised the character of Grace and her downfall. As much as Lawrence tries to keep her balanced, and as empathetic as you can be toward her, there are points where her actions make her an unlikeable and unrelatable character. For those viewers looking for a happy ending or neat resolution, this film isn't going to fare well for you.

'Die My Love' is a complicated, unpalatable viewing experience. While held together by phenomenal performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, fault lines run deep beneath its foundation. It's an interesting yet imperfect portrait of a woman struggling with life and love after the birth of her child.