Review: Jennifer Lawrence Shines in the Wild, Brutal 'Die My Love' but Narrative Falters
This chaotic and intense film by indie director Lynne Ramsay stars Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as new parents struggling with their volatile relationship. Their characters, Grace and Jackson, navigate tension, conflict, and destruction as they adjust to life on a rural ranch.
Opening Atmosphere and Setting
The film begins with a haunting scene that feels more at home in a horror movie. The camera lingers in the kitchen of an isolated ranch house, eerie and silent like a ghost. Grace and Jackson cautiously explore the front porch of their newly inherited home before finally entering. The slow pace hints at the fraught and risky dynamics between these “crazy kids.”
Characters and Backgrounds
- Jackson (Robert Pattinson) talks about the house:
“It’s not New York but it’s ours.”
The home was left to him after his uncle’s violent death upstairs, an event Grace finds disturbingly amusing. - Jackson’s parents, Pam and Harry (played by Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte), live nearby, grounding the story in a local environment.
- Neither Jackson nor Grace discuss their previous city lives, but it’s clear they have unfulfilled ambitions: Jackson dreams of drumming and Grace once claimed to write.
Underlying Themes
The film captures the emotional chaos of new parenthood compounded by stalled dreams and personal struggles, possibly tied to financial strain, fading passion, or limited talent. Their move into the rural house marks a turning point, but it quickly shifts into domestic turmoil.
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Author's summary: Jennifer Lawrence delivers a raw performance in a gripping yet uneven portrayal of fractured parenting and dashed hopes in Lynne Ramsay’s "Die My Love."