When Brittany Runs a Marathon bowed at Sundance, back in January, it set off a brigade of film fireworks. The adoration for the Jillian Bell breakout vehicle came from all corners—from critics to industry insiders. Eight months later, general audiences are finally able to lace those sneakers and join Brittany on her inspiring race to change her life for the better.
So often in our business, hype over an extended period has a way of diluting the experience of a film once those who were on the outside looking in finally have their opportunity to join in the joy. With two-thirds of a year having passed from Sundance to release date, that is an astronomical amount of time for the fierce passion for a film to increase. Those who have experienced its brilliance wax poetic, and anticipation for it exponentially explodes. Sadly, too often it is impossible for a film to match that kind of elongated praise. Brittany Runs a Marathon is the rarest of cinematic artistry, that not only matches the fanned fiery hype but, in many ways, exceeds it.
Bell stars as Brittany, a late twenty-something New Yorker who is burning the candle at both ends. She’s not eating healthily. She’s drinking often and heavily. When it comes to her vocation, Brittany is skating by and although she has no idea, is teetering on the verge of getting fired from her theater usher position. Gone are her dreams of a career in marketing, specifically jingle writing. Also fading from her present and future for that matter is any hope of a romantic relationship worth anything. I’m a critic, not a psychologist, but it seems safe to say that Brittany is depressed and allowing others to define her by her looks, what she wears, the company she keeps and by her lack of occupational progression.
Upon visiting her doctor (in an effort to get some Adderall prescribed), he informs her that her blood pressure is through the roof, her BMI is borderline in the obese category and that even though she frequently sleeps late into the day—it is not a “good” sleep. On this path, the future is dark. He encourages her to lose weight, start exercising and changing her diet and personal habits. At first, Brittany discounts the recommendations and is more upset about not scoring that prescription than taking a self-inventory. Then, she flirts with the idea of running. At first, it’s hard … almost impossible. As the days go by, it becomes a little easier—particularly with the support that comes with a few friends she’s made through running. One is even a woman from her building, Catherine (Michaela Watkins) who she perceived to be holier than thou. Another is Terrence (Dan Bittner), who finds himself running to earn the respect of his children with his partner.
A lightning bolt of inspiration hits Brittany and it’s pretty intense. She wants to run the New York City Marathon and gets her two new running pals to join her in the effort. There has been a wholesale change in Brittany, and it is only ever increasing. She gets a second job as a pet sitter for wealthy folks and that is where she meets David (Utkarsh Ambudkar), the night pet sitter who has essentially just moved into the luxurious townhouse.
Writer-director Paul Downs Colaizzo has crafted a film that not only provides Bell with the greatest part she has ever tackled, but Brittany does not live in a vacuum. Colaizzo’s world has an ensemble where each character could not be richer, and each gets more than one moment to shine alongside Bell’s Brittany. The helmer cast brilliantly and although everyone in the film is truly there to support Brittany, they are as integral to the story progression as the titular soul.
For example, there’s Lil Ren Howery as Demetrius. He is married to Brittany’s sister and we learn has served as a big brother/father figure since she was young when her mom left her dad. The comedic actor (who recently dazzled us in Uncle Drew) has a few funny moments throughout Brittany Runs a Marathon, but it is a quiet moment with him and Bell at the beginning of the third act that should get casting directors thinking about Howery as a dramatic thespian in addition to his stellar comedic charms. In many ways, his moment with Brittany could be seen as the catapult that sends our girl across the figurative finish line of the story.
That’s the other thing. Brittany’s journey is messy. This is no Hollywood tale with a happy ending that is telegraphed miles away. The viewer is never sure where this story is going to go and more importantly, how it will wrap up. The film’s title is not a given and as such, you would be hard pressed to find a more authentic movie in theaters in 2019. Life is messy. There are bumps in the road for all of us and it is about time that a Hollywood product reflects that, and Brittany Runs a Marathon does so in such a raw and real manner that it is refreshing and invigorating.
Bell is a revelation. Sure, the arc of her character is about as rich as they come. But that’s not even the biggest triumph that the actress (who we first found joy with in 22 Jump Street where she stole scenes from Jonah Hill). The moment we meet her at minute one in the film, there is an undefinable approachability to her that sucks us in and even though we know nothing about this person, Bell gives her a “je ne sais quoi” that we inherently and innately adore and are more than ready to cheer for—regardless of what it is that she sets her mind to achieving. Then, the talent Bell possesses gets to shine for one hour and 43 minutes that spawns about as pure of an audience-character connection as I’ve seen in some time. We are with her, through and through, and when she fails and faulters, we wince because the desire to see Brittany succeed (as Bell inhabits her) is insatiable.
The actress’ talent has always been right there on the surface and front and center for that matter. It is just that she hasn’t been given an opportunity like she has in Brittany Runs a Marathon that possesses the scope, richness and emotional connection to an audience that is pure gold. She was hilarious in Rough Night with Scarlett Johansson, mysteriously humorous in Inherent Vice, and managed to steal away our attention in Fist Fight from Ice Cube and Charlie Day—no easy feat. Those of us who have appreciated her talent from the get-go will want to shout from the tallest mountain that Brittany Runs a Marathon is the must-see movie of the summer and now the fall.
Meanwhile, a talent announcement is also made by the writer-director. Colaizzo made his living as a playwright and makes his big screen debut with BRAM. He clearly has a horse in this race, and it comes through on every frame. See, he and the real life Brittany are good friends. In hindsight, he had to have that kind of emotional connection to the center of this universe, given how tender, touching and thrillingly entertaining the entire film is from start to finish.
The fruit of his labor will inspire, uplift and provide numerous LOL opportunities that are also accompanied by a several misty-eyed moments. Given Bell’s comedic charms, one knows that hilarity will be the flavor of the day, but one thing that was not expected is the amount of bombastic cheering that also comes with the excellent experience that is witnessing Brittany Runs a Marathon.
Grade: A