‘Causeway’ Review: Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry deliver a tender drama about trauma and connection

but Cause Told as an intimate account of the troubled return of a wounded US Army engineer from Afghanistan, played by Jennifer Lawrence, this low-key drama blossoms only after its stealth morphs into a balanced tale of mutually damaged people finding each other. . Brian Tyree Henry’s poignant work casts richer hues on Lawrence’s cautious stoicism, and vice versa. First-time director Lila Neugebauer wraps her experience on the New York stage with A-list newcomers for this wistful reflection on trauma and trust, set against a sleepy New Orleans backdrop.

Neugebauer has made a name for himself over the past decade with his work on stage, most notably with Sarah DeLappe’s productions. wolves, about a high school girls’ soccer team; Edward Albee diptych at home at the zoo; and Tracy Letts’ Fragmented Character Studies Mary Page Marlowe. He made his Broadway debut in the Kenneth Lonergan revival in 2018. Waverly GalleryDirected by an all-star cast that included Elaine May, Lucas Hedges, Joan Allen and Michael Cera.

The sensitivity, the delicate modulation of tone and the deft ensemble work that distinguish these theatrical productions are evident in the A24. Cause, which marks the first screenplay by acclaimed novelist Otessa Moshfegh, co-written with newcomers Luke Gebel and Elizabeth Sanders. It’s a small-scale film that many might describe as unambitious, favoring subtle observation over high emotional payoff. But its humanistic virtues must register with Apple TV+ viewers.

Lawrence stars as Lindsay, an Army engineer specializing in water systems who is forced to undergo a rigorous physical and mental rehabilitation program for brain damage and impaired motor skills after her vehicle is hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He catches the eye of Sharon (Jane Houdischel), a caring caregiver for veterans, who warns him not to rush his recovery, saying the transfer is a bad idea. But Lindsay is stubborn; He leaves earlier than advised and takes the bus back to New Orleans, determined not to stay there too long.

Returning to a dirty house with no food, Lindsay discovers that her single mother Gloria (Linda Emond) blew it the day she returned, a sign of her general unreliability. Pieces gradually come together around a disaffected upbringing, including her unhappiness at seeing her brother Justin (Russell Harvard, in a big scene at the end) ruin her life with drugs. All of which explains why he is so eager to get back on the road, despite warnings from his neurologist (Stephen McKinley Henderson) that stopping medication would put him at high risk for seizures and chronic depression.

The film’s muted imagery might be more interesting, but it conveys a good feel of the low-income neighborhood of New Orleans, where Lindsay grew up, as opposed to the wealthier parts of the city, where she’ll be cleaning pools for her on-site job. job. . .

Unlike Lindsay, who puts as much distance between her and her home and family as possible, gentle mechanic James (Henry), whom she befriends while fixing her brother’s truck, stays at her house. A family home with unpleasant associations. The evolution of her relationship with Lawrence and Henry unfolds well as Lindsey slowly unravels what happened to her in Afghanistan and James reveals the details of the accident in which he lost his leg.

Lindsay’s work at the pool provides moments of peace and places to escape the heat with James and the owners, who are often out of town. The false trail of possible romance is corrected with the revelation of Lindsay’s sexuality, which is seen not as a redefinition of her identity, but simply another facet of her brooding character. She also shows signs of softening towards her tired but loving mother in an adorable scene where they cool off together in a cheap inflatable pool in the backyard.

There are no big epiphanies or big dramatic fireworks moments in the script. But trust grows in Lindsay’s friendship with James as they first bond over a shared love of Ernie’s K-Do successes and then intuitively respond to each other’s needs, albeit with some delays and misunderstandings. The emotional swings are well emphasized by the smooth electronic music of Alex Sommers, a former employee of Security Electronic Music.

Cause Marking Lawrence’s first new project since announcing he was taking a year off, it’s nice to see his return to his indie roots, especially as Henry’s presence pushes him to up his game. He digs deep in a way we haven’t seen much of him since his indelible scene. If Beale Street Could Talk. The chemistry between these two great actors, each with very different styles, scares you and enriches this low-key drama about hurt people who let their guard down long enough to find solace.