Self-sabotage is rarely a movie theme. It’s not a stretch to say we follow protagonists to see them improve and better themselves. Watching the exact opposite play out –as it does often during Brittany Runs A Marathon– is off-putting yet incredibly honest. Life isn’t one consistent grade from zero to hero. Many of us have moments, or even extended stretches, where not only are we not our best selves, but we actively undermine our own happiness. Anyone who has ever eaten at Taco Bell knows what I’m talking about.
It’s hard not to mind when a film fails to match its trailer; sometimes I even get offended: “Look, I came here for frivolous self-improvement, and I got dramatic self-inspection instead.” Often, that’s not the fault of the people who made the film, but I don’t care. Brittany Runs a Marathon doesn’t match its trailer at all. Promised a breezy, superficial look at a woman taking better care of her health, we instead got a complex, mature, and occasionally dark study of a woman dealing with depression…what is up with that?! I mean, you hire Jillian Bell for the jokes, right?
Brittany (Bell) is approaching her nadir. I wouldn’t call her specifically a “LOSER,” yet, but it’s getting there. Whatever dream brought her to NYC was dashed years ago. Now she has a crummy apartment, a dead-end job, an abusive roommate, and a 200+ pound figure she hates. Mirrors are the enemy … as is life. Brittany has, essentially, no friends, having swapped lasting relationships with hard partying and an Adderall addiction. Brittany goes to the doctor to get a refill and instead gets, “lose weight.” Yes, the doctor was nicer than that … but when a doctor delivers said message at any time during the examination, it’s hard to take anything else away from the visit, y’know?
It’s hard to describe the exact toll jealousy takes. When you envy someone else’s figure –as Brittany does of her neighbor Catherine (Michaela Watkins)—you can imagine all sorts of untrue things to enhance your jealousy. Catherine is probably healthy and wealthy and happy and secure, right? Right?! And at the heart of Brittany’s anxiety are the conflicting notions that change is welcome and necessary, but change will likely attract people. That’s probably why Brittany chooses running; it’s a cheap, efficient method of exercise that can be “enjoyed” without the input of anybody else.
And, of course, Brittany’s weight is only one component of what needs fixing in her life. As the movie will tell you more than once, Brittany Runs a Marathon is not about marathoning. Brittany needs a life overhaul and running simply acts as both catalyst and goal. And there is failure, which is something I did not expect from this picture. But such gives the picture a depth and and personal realism that sets it apart and above the picture I was expecting. So, you get a pass this time, misleading trailer … but you’re on notice.
Jillian Bell first appeared on my radar for her work as a villain in the hit-and-miss comic sequel 22 Jump Street. I thought her fight scene with Jonah Hill was quite literally the funniest thing I’d seen in all of 2014. Since, I have appreciated Jillian on the level that at any given time she can be simultaneously all three choices in a game of “f***, marry, kill.” Much as I find her amusing, I didn’t think she was capable of serious acting. I was wrong. Brittany Runs A Marathon shows a very deep side of Jillian Bell and one I would love to see again and again. She and Awkwafina are my two bust out actresses of 2019; I want to see both of them get a chance at bigger and better roles.
My existence is one of perpetual dread
Friendless, unemployed, and overfed
Running would make me glad
But my feet hurt so bad
Perhaps I can swim myself whole instead
Rated R, 104 Minutes
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Writer: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Genre: Give you a hint – it’s not about marathoning
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Lost people
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Bullies
