‘Causeway’ (2022) – Movie Review: Are We Looking at Academy Award Nominations?

Causeway (2022)
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Causeway is a movie directed by Lila Neugebauer, written by Luke Goebel, Ottessa Moshfegh and Elizabeth Sanders, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry and Linda Emond.

An outstanding movie that reaches one’s core with its depth and humanity.

Premise

Lynsey returns home after her deployment in Afghanistan, severely injured, with amnesia, and PTSD. Readjusting to her old life requires that she overcomes a number of obstacles.

Causeway
Causeway (2022)

Movie Review

This is quite a drama, but a truly good one. Jennifer Lawrence is just brilliant, and provides a marvelous performance in a role that would be considered a little gem by any actor with appreciation for art.

Lawrence dives into the role, portrays it with authenticity and empathy, and counts on the spectacular support of another great actor, Brian Tyree Henry, probably not as known to the broader audience, yet. He knows how to be present in a moving, and impressively delicate and elegant performance.

This is a film that has to be approached slowly, and one has to be ready to be moved. You have to be in the mood to immerse yourself in a story so human and to confront the quotidian pain.

‘Causeway’ is a singular movie, although some might consider it will not be remembered or go down in movie history as a great. In this reviewer’s view it will reach many hearts and minds. On a production level it is not grandiose, it is fully engaged in the human story. It is important to note that it is not melodramatic, if that is what you fear and holds you back from watching it. It is very down to earth with all that that implies, even the gradual acceptance, or resignation to circumstances, of its lead characters.

Causeway (2022)
Causeway (2022)

We must make mention of Lila Neugebauer, who has outdone herself in this piece. She has managed to transform the quotidian to something complex, excellent and without going overboard with the drama.

‘Causeway’ knows how to win the audience over with the closeness to the characters in the narrative, and the ideal tempo from take one. It knows what it wants to tell, and how to tell it.

Our Opinion

Will it be a blockbusting hit movie? Perhaps it won’t, but we think it is more than recommendable. This is one good movie. Not to mention the masterful performances given by Jennifer Lawrence and Billy Tyree Henry, which are probably some of the best we have seen this year.

Where to Watch ‘Causeway’

Apple TV+

Release Date

November 4, 2022

Director

Lila Neugebauer

Lila Neugebauer

Lila Neugebauer is an American theater director. She became established as a young director of plays off-Broadway, and in 2018 she made her Broadway directorial debut with a revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s “The Waverly Gallery.”


Cast


Jennifer Lawrence / Lynsey

Brian Tyree Henry / James Aucoin

Jayne Houdyshell / Sharon

Frederick Weller / Rick

Will Pullen / Bro

Neal Huff

Samuel H. Levine / Deryck Olsen

Rebecca Chulew / Mess Hall Worker

See full credits >>

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