If I Had Legs I Would Kick You

A jarring film that only escalates in discomfort as it nears the end. The sometimes overwhelming sound design, surrealist visuals, and intensity of performance make it an unsettling watch at times.

However,

I believe it is a necessary watch, especially for those with friends or family who are caregivers. As it opens your perspective to how all-consuming being a caregiver can be, as well as just how hard it is to not just ask for help but, more importantly, accept it.

Rose Byrne's performance is undoubtedly the crux of this film. With a majority of the shots being close-ups, this film would be simply unwatchable with a less-than-superb actor (which Rose is far from). But beyond Rose’s intimate performance, there are other surprisingly accomplished performances by underdogs Conan O’Brien and ASAP Rocky, both of whom have hardly any acting experience in a drama-centric film such as this one. Yet they did not disappoint and often added a much welcome comedic tone into the intensity of the scenes.

Additionally, it’s impossible to credit these performances without applauding director/writer Mary Bronstein for guiding these performances in such an intimate manner.

A prominent theme within the film I was drawn towards exploring was the loss of self, specifically within motherhood. The film depicts hardly anything about Linda (Rose Byrne’s character) beyond her caregiver role, especially in regards to who she was before becoming a mother. This correlates with a frequently explored topic that as a caretaker and most often mother, you’re meant to separate from yourself and give your all to this person you’re caring for, when in reality you tend to lose yourself in the process. Though this film takes the “lose yourself” pipeline to the extreme side.

I’m in huge support of films such as "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" that are showing a raw female perspective on motherhood and are challenging the systems and society's expectations for mothers. Additionally, showing a side of motherhood that is often overlooked in media: that it’s not always going to be easy, you probably will get overwhelmed and have a lack of support at some point, and that you’re not always going to be able to do everything expected of you. This harsh, yet realistic, portrayal is a message to all struggling mothers that they are seen and an opportunity for society to reflect on its flawed expectations and change for the better.

(If these themes speak to you, I highly suggest giving Marielle Heller's "Nightbitch" a watch, as the parallels between these films are unmissable.)

The combination of Rose’s moving performance, the film’s realism and surrealist touches, moments of comedic relief, and its unwavering depiction of caregivers' struggles makes this film a definite standout in the TIFF lineup.