Am I Ok?: A Late Journey of Self-Exploration

At what age do you have everything figured out?

Directors Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allyne tell the story about two best friends discovering themselves later in life and how personal journeys should be taken at your own pace.

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is an artist working at a spa as a receptionist. She is unsure about her choices, not because she is indecisive but because she doesn’t know what she is looking for in life. Lucy’s best friend Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) informs Lucy she is about to move to London and Lucy drunkenly tells her best friend that she likes women.

Johnson gives an honest, hilarious performance of someone at the start of their exploration of themselves. Jane is there to support her best friend and push her out of her comfort zone. Am I Ok? is a story about friendship and how to manage these new directions in life.

While the film handles the theme of self-exploration it is presented in a playful tone. Lucy and Jane have such an honest relationship that feels like a comfortable sweater. Johnson plays comedic so well and comes across as a charming, uncertain lead that is so easy to relate to. Mizuno is in the position of someone who thinks they have it all figured out but reveals she is on her learning journey and her extrovert, assertiveness balances out Johnson’s timidness.

The film feels so effortless, it is not trying to say or do anything crazy or forced. It is mesmerizing and charming to watch the beautiful relationship between Lucy and Jane play out. It is a necessary story to bring to the screen for people that don’t have it all figured out and may not know what exactly they are looking for.