In the film Tully, Marlo (Charlize Theron) navigates the challenges of becoming a mother for the third time. She and her Xbox-playing husband (Ron Livingston) find themselves overwhelmed, caring for an eight-year-old son with special needs, another daughter, and a newborn with disrupted sleep patterns. When Marlo’s brother suggests hiring a night nanny, their lives are significantly altered by the arrival of Tully (MacKenzie Davis), a free-spirited caregiver who enters their home and brings about considerable change.
Tully represents another cinematic collaboration between director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody. Their previous work, Juno, successfully explored similar themes. However, this time, they haven’t quite managed to recapture the same level of impact. Charlize Theron delivers a compelling performance, notably embodying the physical transformation of a mother. MacKenzie Davis also offers a charming portrayal, suggesting a promising future in film. While the narrative holds initial promise, it ultimately falls short of fully realizing its potential. The intended dark comedy about the complexities of parenthood evolves into an increasingly peculiar and somewhat disjointed story that lacks cohesion.
The Blu-ray edition presents a satisfactory visual and auditory experience. The image quality appears natural and balanced, with effective contrast in the darker night scenes. The sound design adequately supports the film, though it doesn’t heavily utilize the capabilities of a 5.1 system. Scanbox’s limited inclusion of extras is a drawback, as these features often enhance the overall ownership experience. The featurette The Relationships of Tully offers some insights but lacks deeper exploration of the film’s background or symbolism. A commentary track featuring Reitman and Cody could have provided valuable perspectives and enhanced understanding.
Despite strong performances and moments of relatable insight into early childhood, the film ultimately fails to deliver a fully satisfying experience. It serves as watchable entertainment for an evening but doesn’t quite achieve its full potential.
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