Causeway movie review: A poignant acting showcase
By Ricky Valero
We all know that Apple TV+ has become one of the best go-to streaming apps for TV shows, but they are also making a name for itself in the world of film. Causeway is their latest attempt in trying to put out this award season. Is it worth checking out? Let’s dive in.
Causeway follows a US soldier struggling to adjust to life after being hit with a traumatic injury while serving. The movie is directed by Lila Neugebauer and stars Jennifer Lawrence and Bryan Tyree Henry.
The movie begins with us meeting Lynsey (Lawrence), who is on the verge of moving into a house with someone who will help her get back on her feet. Lynsey, suffering from a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan, can’t get around. She needs help walking, talking, and even going to the bathroom. As each day passes, we start to see some progression from Lynsey, ultimately leading to her release back into the real world and her home in New Orleans.
Quickly, we learn that some past trauma from her childhood and upbringing forces Lynsey to want to get better ASAP, so she can redeploy and get away from the city. Then, one day, her truck breaks down, bringing it to a shop, where we meet James (Henry). From here, they spark a bit of a friendship out of necessity as Lynsey is still trying to adapt to everyday life.
Causeway is a poignant, subtle and highly recommend watch on Apple TV+
As Lynsey and James spend more time together, we see the duo start unpacking some of their troubled past. Lynsey is dealing with childhood trauma while also reeling from being blown up while deployed, and James is still struggling since a car accident that changed his life forever. Both of them are very broken people trying to help each other.
Causeway is the type of film that is subtly in your face. It’s more of a soft emotional gut punch than a loud-in-your-face movie. While some may not enjoy the slow-burn style nature of the film, it was paced to perfection with some well-timed emotional beats that keep you connected within these two people’s journeys.
Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry give you two of the most dynamic performances this year. For me, it’s all about the little things the two of them did that impressed me. Whether it was how Lawrence walked like a soldier to Henry’s profoundly moving, human-like relatable performance, you are witnessing two people so deeply motivated in their craft put on an actors clinic.
Overall, everything about this movie worked for me, making it one of the year’s best movies. You have a beautifully written film that is directed to perfection that is topped with two standout performances, and there isn’t much more you can ask from a movie. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Causeway is hitting select theaters and Apple TV+ on November 4.