If I Had Legs I’d Kick You review: Prepare to be very stressed
As a longtime fan of Rose Byrne, I am thrilled that she’s receiving so much recognition for her extraordinary performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Most people know her for her comedy work, but she is also an exceptional dramatic actress and I’m glad she’s getting credit for that now with her anxiety-inducing new film.
In the dark comedy-drama, written and directed by Mary Bronstein, Byrne plays a psychotherapist named Linda who is stretched to her limits caring for her sick child while her husband is away at work. Just that alone would be enough to stress anyone out, but everything seems to be going to s**t at the same time. The ceiling falls in at home so they have to move to a motel. Her boat captain husband won’t be home for eight weeks. Her daughter’s doctor keeps trying to schedule a meeting. She has a very troubled patient. She has far too much on her plate.
As the issues keep piling on, Linda becomes all over the place, frazzled, in a constant state of panic and/or fight or flight. She’s holding on by a thread, but she’s not doing herself any favours. She drinks heavily every night, takes drugs and barely gets any sleep, so naturally, she is not well or in the best state of mind to deal with her never-ending problems.
The film is quite an immersive experience because Byrne is shot in extreme close-ups, allowing us to read her every thought and put ourselves in her shoes. Bronstein makes the wise decision to keep the daughter largely off-screen (we never learn her name or why she needs a feeding tube either) to maintain focus on Linda. Byrne gives a fearless, career-best performance and does a terrific job of tracking Linda’s descent into madness, her volatility and spiralling mental health. While she makes some shocking decisions, you can’t fairly judge her because she’s not of sound mind and needs help.
While Byrne’s Golden Globe-winning performance is the star of the show – and rightly has been nominated for an Oscar and BAFTA – I also have to give a shout-out to Conan O’Brien, who plays Linda’s fellow therapist. It’s such an unexpected piece of casting but it really works. I have never seen the comedian in such a serious role and he was terrific. Danielle Macdonald made me uneasy as one of Linda’s troubled clients, and rapper A$AP Rocky proves he has acting talent as a fellow motel guest.
While it may have some darkly funny moments, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is primarily a stress and anxiety-inducing experience starring Byrne at the top of her game. Jessie Buckley is my pick for the Best Actress Oscar this year, but I would be happy if Byrne wins it instead. I came away with a headache and that can’t be a coincidence!
In cinemas from Friday 20th February