Die My Love – Film Review
by Frank L.

Director – Lynne Ramsay
Writers – Enda Walsh, Lynne Ramsay, Alice Birch
Stars – Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek

This is an adaptation of Arian Harwicz’s 2019 novel of the same title. For Irish viewers, it is of interest that Enda Walsh is one of the three scriptwriters. The film is directed by Scottish director Lynne Ramsay, who is known for early indie releases such as Morvern Callar and Ratcatcher, along with more recent major releases, We Need to Talk About Kevin and You Were Never Really Here.

Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) and her boyfriend, Jackson (Robert Pattinson), have left New York City and moved to far-distant Montana. Their home is a farmhouse where an uncle of Jackson’s once lived and died. The house is in a state of disrepair, but it functions just about. Jackson’s parents live nearby. Grace and Jackson’s relationship is highly sexually charged, but the arrival of a baby changes the dynamic. Grace ceases to show any interest in her work as a writer and gradually descends into increasingly erratic behaviour. The intensity of their sexual relationship diminishes. Jackson is often away from the house doing precisely what is not clear, but a clutch of condoms in the glove compartment of his car indicates he may not be monogamous. He has increasing concerns as Grace slips further into her delusions.

This is a magnum opus part for Lawrence, who is magnificently and uninhibitedly sexual even as she surveys her new home. Her Grace is all devouring, and Pattinson’s Jackson does well to be able to respond in kind. But as Grace’s inner turmoil becomes more intense, Lawrence captures the actions of a person who is no longer acting rationally. It is at times dark, but it has elements of grim humour. All the while Pattinson is in the background, perplexed as the irrational events unfold. There is anger and pain.

The cinematography throughout is engaging. Watching the opening scenes between Grace and Jackson in the car and in the kitchen of the farmhouse, there is a sense of being privileged to observe this couple in their highly charged relationship. As Grace becomes increasingly irrational, the close-ups of Grace’s face indicate that the world in which she is inhabiting is not the world in which Jackson or any other character is participating. It is an increasingly lonely place. In addition, the thumping sound effects add to the sense of another world in which Grace is alone, despite the various other individuals who cross her path.

Lawrence portrays magnificently the role of Grace. One is in awe of her performance. Ramsay has created a film that is disturbing, but it is carefully crafted. For that, it is worth seeing. It is often not an easy watch, but it certainly engages.