‘If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You’ review: A bone-chilling exploration of a woman’s desperation
There are some movies that are uncomfortable to watch and that’s by design. Which is part of what makes A24’s If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You so alluring. The film from Mary Bronstein stars Rose Byrne and is an up-close and personal look at the drain that comes with caring.
Linda (Rose Byrne) is taking care of her sick daughter and the weight of it all is pushing down on her. With incredibly close shots of Byrne (shot on film), Bronstein’s work is personal and deep just by forcing the audience to be that close to Linda. But when you dive into the plot of If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You, you may find yourself relating to Linda. Mother or not.
Whenever it comes to movies about motherhood, we’re often confronted with emotions that do tie directly to what it means to be a parent. As someone who doesn’t have kids, I didn’t think I’d feel the way I did about If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You. But the themes present within Bronstein’s work touch on something deeper: Responsibility.
I know it is not equal but I do have a pet and trying to make sure my cat is healthy and alive day after day does weigh on you. Is he okay? Is he hurting but can’t tell me? Those are thoughts that plague many pet owners but also parents. Your kids might not be able to vocalize what is going on with them and it is a feeling that does end up being universal. You’re trying to keep another living thing…alive.
Raw, personal, and relatable
Even when Linda gets to have a second to herself, it is taken from her. We see her trying to unwind and others don’t understand her pain. When she tries to talk to her husband (Christian Slater) about it, he is not as understanding as he should be. And because we’re so close to Linda throughout the film, you feel every emotion she is.
It is one of the few films that I have seen where I can feel the raw emotion of a character and maybe that comes down how Bronstein used film to capture Linda’s pain but there is something magical and emotional charged about If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You. It isn’t for the faint of heart and will make you think but it is worthwhile.
(featured image: A24)
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