This movie was fantastic . I loved it . It's a slow burn , the characters feel real and the pain they feel is acted incredibly well . The dialogue felt totally natural and all the relationships were so dynamic and important to the story .
This isn't the kind of film you can watch while scrolling social media - it's meant to be felt and observed and that means giving it your full attention as movies should be . You miss way too much of the subtlety if you aren't willing to put your phone down for an hour and a half .
The dynamic between the two main characters is obviously well done and the "chemistry " felt real and refreshing . Some other highlights were the relationship between Lindsey and her mom , Lindsey and her brother and james and his employees .
Lindsey and her mom showed the complexities of mother - daughter relationships. The mom isn't necessarily a bad person but has never dealt with her own trauma or self confidence issues and it bleeds down and is obvious in the interactions . The scene in the jail with her brother was so powerful and well done- great acting by Lawrence and Harvard . James is a well loved guy and you can feel it - in spite of a hard past - a good man .
I read an article once about Jennifer Lawrence after she was in "winters bone " and then being asked to play Katniss - her real dream was to do indie , diverse characters and not be type casted or forever known as katniss Everdeen . She has done a ton since then - but this is probably her best work.
Watch it , appreciate it and you won't regret your 90 min .