Hello everyone!! We’re in the midst of a hectic award season, and I’m continually playing catch-up to reviews. Well, in order to save time, I’m going to be posting more combined shorter reviews through the end of January.

While I usually find a common thread when I combine reviews, this one shares a theme of parenting struggles, though it’s completely different in terms of tone and style. Both feature powerful female-led performances.

Rosemead

Inspired by a harrowing true story, Lucy Liu transforms in a riveting, career-redefining performance as an ailing woman who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son.

Film marketers tend to exaggerate when they claim that an actor completely transforms for a role, but with Rosemead, that’s spot on. I first noticed Liu as Ling in Ally McBeal, a super confident, unapologetically blunt, and fashionable lawyer who thinks the world is all about her. Most of the roles I’ve seen her in are action movies. I’m glad she finally got her first dramatic leading role after three decades in the business. Even though she comes from Chinese immigrant parents, this is the first time I’ve seen Liu speak mostly in Mandarin throughout the film.

Liu’s portrayal of Irene is worlds apart from Ling; she’s a devoted single mom balancing her business and raising her teenage son Joe (Lawrence Shou) after her husband’s passing. Joe is deeply affected by the loss of his father and struggles with schizophrenia. Joe’s violent tendencies can manifest in different ways that become more and more terrifying. As someone from a South Asian background, I can relate to how mental health issues are often seen as taboo. The film also sheds light on the challenges of expressing feelings or even recognizing them. The title should ring a bell for those in California, as it references a neighborhood in the San Gabriel Valley known for its lively Chinese American community. The film’s cast is primarily Chinese, with solid supporting roles from James Chen as Joe’s therapist and Eleven Lee as Irene’s close friend.

Directed with sensitivity and care by Eric Lin, this film is intense and can be tough to watch. However, it’s definitely worth seeing just for Liu’s amazing performance, and the subject matter is relevant since many families face similar challenges. Shou does an excellent job portraying Joe’s deteriorating mental health, especially considering this is his first feature film. There’s genuine warmth in the mother-son bond, alas, it ends in a horrific tragedy.

I wasn’t aware of the real-life story it’s based on, and I’m glad I didn’t look it up beforehand because the ending really floored me. I won’t give it away, but it will stay with you long after the credits roll. Calling this film thought-provoking is an understatement; it’s an important piece that’s sure to spark conversations. I sure hope Liu’s performance won’t get overlooked this award season.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

With her life crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

Similar to Rosemead, the main draw for me to see this one is Rose Byrne in a leading role. I’ve mostly seen her in comedic roles, and this one, mind-bogglingly, is described as a comedy, but it’s not. It has a similarity to Rosemead in that it’s inspired by real events, specifically writer/director Mary Bronstein’s own experiences caring for her ill child. Bronstein aims to explore themes of maternal burnout and mental strain, and I think she does achieve that, but I have to say, watching this is an extremely stressful experience.

The title If I Had Legs I’d Kick You really grabs your attention and definitely makes you stop and look. The story reminds me of Nightbitch, where Amy Adams plays a worn-out mom going through a nervous breakdown, but Byrne’s character, Linda, is in an even crazier situation. It starts with a flood in a unit above her that leads to her ceiling caving in. The massive hole in the ceiling symbolizes the parts of her life that remain unfulfilled. Throughout the movie, her husband is mostly absent and offers little emotional support during their phone calls. Linda and her daughter end up having to stay in a motel, which becomes even tougher since the child needs constant medical care. Bronstein intentionally hides the child’s face, putting more emphasis on the emotional struggles of the parent.

The film’s editing pulls you right into Linda’s hectic daily life. Sure, some of the moments between Linda and the parking attendant can be quite comical, but overall, the movie is far from comedic. Even Conan O’Brien’s part is serious, which is pretty amusing to see. It makes me wonder how some of these folks are therapists when they can’t even sort out their own lives. What this movie really gets into is that being a parent is incredibly challenging, and it’s something one really needs to be prepared for and realize it takes a significant sacrifice.

Byrne gives a strong performance here; she’s the reason the movie stays watchable. A$AP Rocky is memorable as James, the motel neighbor who tries to befriend Linda, but their relationship just feels off from the start, partly due to the rude way Linda treats him. Christian Slater’s appearance is basically a cameo, while Danielle Macdonald, as one of Linda’s patients, is perhaps one of the most frustrating characters I’ve seen this year. To be fair, all of the characters are unlikable and seem devoid of logic, realism, and humanity.

Bronstein tries to craft an immersive experience and really goes for it with a jarring sound design that keeps viewers on edge. What starts as a character study turns into a test of endurance that leaves little insight into the human condition. This is an ambitious film to be sure, and I applaud Bronstein for her efforts, but this is one I’m not keen on ever watching again.

Have you seen either one of these movies? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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