Charlize Theron plays a mother named Marlo on the edge of a breaking point in Tully. She’s enormously pregnant with her third child. Her other two kids, Sarah (8-years old) and Jonah (kindergartener) with “problems,” are draining her energies. Her husband, Drew (Ron Livingston), is busy working to support this growing household. Marlo’s wealthy brother suggests a “Night Nanny” to watch the new baby (Mia) while Marlo sleeps. Marlo realizes she needs help as her family spins out of control. When Tully, the Night Nanny, shows up she’s a 20-something bundle of wit and verve. While Marlo sleeps, Tully not only cares for little Mia, she cleans the house. Before long, Marlo is waking up to freshly baked cupcakes complements of Tully. So far, so good. Then Tully veers into Magical Thinking. Some may like the direction that Diablo Cody takes her movie in. I did not. GRADE: C
Not really fond of Diablo Cody. I liked Young Adult but hated Rikki & the Flash and Juno. I think I’ll pass on this.
Steve, TULLY may be my least favorite Diablo Cody movie.
I loved most of JUNO but will definitely skip this. It looked awful.
Jeff, for a while TULLY was okay. Then it wasn’t.
Ugh! No thanks! I hate, hate, hate the cultural tropes that say motherhood is either an ethereal experience where every problem is a minor bump in the road, easily resolved and smoothed over, OR, conversely, motherhood is a psychological trap where benign and mundane things become dark and horrible. How about a middle ground where motherhood, like life itself, has ups and downs and where a good sense of humor, loving relationships, supportive friendships, and a dose of good luck help keep things on a relatively even keel? I don’t suppose that would make a very interesting movie—but it would be more accurate!
Deb, Charlize Theron gained 30 lbs. for this role of a pregnant and stressed mother. Diablo Cody’s script veers from the challenges of Motherhood to Something Else.
…whomever Diablo Cudy is… I wonder why they make such movies, who goes to see them, people who just want to see a new movie every couple of weeks? This sounds like a straight-to-video thing to me, or maybe a Hallmark Channel thing.
Rick, Diablo Cody made a big splash with JUNO back in 2007. Her later projects, YOUNG ADULT and RIKKI AND THE FLASH, have not been very successful.
George, I always enjoy your candor. And wonder where you get the time, retired or not.
Rick, not writing novels like you do frees up a lot of my time! Thanks for the kind words!
The secret’s out! It’s George Kelley, Inc., and George employs a cadre of underlings to see most of the movies, TV shows, and plays as well as read the books he reports on!
Bob, I wish I had minions to farm these so-so movies out to. Instead, I’m just a one-man band.