Brittany Runs a Marathon: Bell's Time to Shine
Jillian Bell plays 28-year old Brittany in Amazon Studios' New York indie. She binge-drinks picks up guys and hasn't gotten her life together. She visits a cheap doctor from yelp with the goal of getting an Adderall prescription drug but gets a wake-up call about her health. Her blood pressure is high, the liver is bad and her BMI is in the obese category. This prompts her doctor to suggest she loses 45-50 pounds. She must learn how to come with terms with the realities she has been living in. The price of the gym causes Brittany to start running one block at a time until she works her way up to farther distances. Brittany's newfound determination leads her to prepare for the 26-mile New York City Marathon.
The film is loosely based on the experience of one of director Paul Downs Colaizzo's friend. The film allows former SNL writer Jillian Bell to show off her comedic style while bringing a fresh dramatic performance. Her mix of comedy and drama evokes the emotion of the film while making her character a crowdpleaser that feels content when she makes other people laugh. She often makes herself the butt of the joke to beat other people from doing so. Her self-deprecating humor is her defense mechanism. When she decides to start running it turns into her running a block to joining a running group and making friends.
Bell is able to balance both the humorous side and dark stuff of Brittany. The script manages to include details to explain Brittany's bad habits. She is given a lot of relatable moments through the script. She delivers this with slow smiles and looks in the mirror. She is charming and human that inspires tears and laughs throughout the film. Her tears and smiles feel genuine. She also has a supporting cast to play around with.
Brittany screws up a lot on her journey and it doesn't feel like a movie formula when it plays out. The obstacles she faces come with the physical and mental transformation of one's self. She is honest about addressing her mistakes. Colaizzo is aware that when you change your life it happens in steps or stages. For Brittany, the little things like signing up for a dating app are a sign of moving forward. Change happens slowly and is done with care. The film emphasizes that the idea of slow change with care is central to the power of the story.