Sometimes the hardest thing to see is the truth. -Tagline

Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air; Pitch Perfect) plays Alice, an early 30s woman in NYC experiencing great stress, as she’s dealing w/ a (psychologically) abusive live-in bf, Simon (Charlie Carrick). In the past year, she hasn’t been seeing friends much and even cut down on work. Simon (a few yrs older) expects Alice to be available to support his growing fame/career as a painter. While on vacation (in upstate NY) w/ her 2 BFFs (Tess and Sophie), Alice rediscovers herself and gains some new perspective.

IF you consider yourself to be sensitive viewer, then you can watch it (IMO); this story doesn’t contain the (typically melodramatic) portrayals of DV. Instead, we get a look into Alice’s mind, as she tries to cope w/ complicated feelings (anger, sadness, shame, etc.) I was surprised to see how well Kendrick handled the serious material; she is more known for comedies. The friends (who’ve known her since childhood) are perceptive and caring; they’re genuinely worried for Alice. This indie drama (w/ an international cast) was directed by Mary Nighy, the daughter of veteran British actor Bill Nighy. Wow, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; she’s a talented/sensitive filmmaker! I think young people (or those w/ less experience w/ relationships) esp. should watch this movie. Abuse can come in many different forms.

[1] I thought Anna Kendrick was amazing as the mentally anguished and tortured Alice, who’s fairy-tale romance had turned out to be anything but, as she finds out what friendship and love really can be, when those close truly care.

[2] A very important point is that the film is very realistic. Of course, each person’s case is different, but the whole point is abusive relationships and how being in them affects people’s inner world and mental health. People feel trapped, like they have no other choice, they think that their partner is treating them badly out of love.

[3] It’s such a deeply contemplative film. The imagery is stunning. The way it takes a single moment and fleshes it all the way out is true artistry.

The simplicity of the storyline is what makes this such a good story.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews