Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME

Plot: “A young woman decides to make positive changes in her life by training for the New York City Marathon.” -IMDB

Review: If the title, “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” tells you everything you think you need to know about this movie, you are wrong. This film starring Jillian Bell is funny, heartfelt, and awe-inspiring. Focused on Brittany, a woman who needs to get healthy and make some dramatic changes to her life, this film lifted my spirits in a way very few Hollywood movies have been able to achieve. When I left the theater, I was ready to run and make some changes in my own life.

For her part, Jillian Bell’s performance in this movie is one of the year’s most vulnerable. Brittany parties too hard, sleeps too late, eats all the wrong things, and seems to be going nowhere fast. In the face of multiple forms of rejection, she has a choice to make; a choice that begins with one small step. Giving in to the pressure of a neighbor she can’t tolerate, Brittany begins running. It first begins with a trip to the end of the block. Then it is through the neighborhood, Central Park, 5K races, and soon to the doorstep of the New York City Marathon. With each goal realized, you will find yourself cheering for our lead, but before we can be delivered to the final act life gets complicated.

A friend and former roommate returns to Brittany’s life expecting her to be the old version of herself. When Brittany refuses, her “friend” attempts to put Brittany in her place. The exchange is heartbreaking and infuriating at the same time. To her credit, Brittany takes this pain and buries it deep down inside until she can’t hold it anymore. It then takes the form of an injury from overtraining and it falls on a guy she is dating, as well as a complete stranger at a party. In these moments, she forgets the most powerful lesson learned from her training; everyone is worthy of love and should be treated accordingly.

Brittany attempts to make amends. Trying to salvage the relationship and apologize to someone you’ve hurt, are both powerful lessons from this film. Seemingly, with things turning around, she returns to her obsession. As Brittany begins to realize her dream, we discover the real lessons of this film; everyone is going through something, kindness is king, change is possible, and goals are powerful. For these lessons and much more, I highly recommend this film.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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