Die My Love Review: Millennial Under the Influence
Lynne Ramsay has, with just five films over 26 years, cemented her reputation as one of global cinema’s most exciting and distinctive female filmmakers. From her startling debut Ratcatcher (1999) to the mesmerising psychological horror We Need to Talk About Kevin, Ramsay delves into the darker sides of human psychology, directing major stars like Tilda Swinton and Joaquin Phoenix to arguably career-best performances.
It’s no wonder that Hollywood’s hottest actors are willing to work with the Scottish auteur. Ramsay’s latest film, Die My Love, has certainly scooped a killer combo as its leads: Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Both Lawrence and Pattinson became household names through massively successful YA adaptations. There is something gleefully transgressive about seeing the stars of The Hunger Games and Twilight team up for something quite this odd and artsy. Those expecting a heartwarming romance between Katniss Everdeen and Edward Cullen, consider yourselves warned: this is not that movie.
So, what exactly is Die My Love? It is an adaptation of the novel Matate Amor by Argentine writer Ariana Harwicz. The story concerns a woman’s psychological breakdown after having a baby, and the cracks that emerge in her relationship with her partner. The film leaves a lot up to interpretation, but one reading could be that it deals with the still fairly taboo topic of post-partum depression, and the pressure and stigma society places on those who suffer from it.
Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin dealt with similar themes, but if there is one film that serves as an inspiration for Die My Love, it would likely be John Cassavetes’ masterpiece A Woman Under the Influence. However, while Cassavetes and star Gena Rowlands immerse you in the gradual erosion of the protagonist’s sanity, Die My Love seems to start at volume 11 and remain there throughout. The manic nature of Lawrence’s character appears to be in full swing from the very beginning.
Which brings us to the biggest issue with Die My Love: there is little progression in the story. It’s a collection of scenes that time and again illustrate the same thing. Taken individually, these scenes are wonderfully directed, beautifully shot, and tremendously well acted. However, for a two-hour film, the lack of narrative drive makes it feel repetitive and, frankly, exhausting. There are also side tangents that frustratingly seem to go nowhere, such as the criminally underused Lakeith Stanfield, who is given barely a line in the film and whose subplot is seemingly shrugged off.
Nevertheless, it’s a joy to see Lawrence being given the chance to show just what a powerhouse performer she is, and, as with so many of her previous stars, Ramsay brings out the best in her. For those wishing to see a talented actor and director given free rein to make a defiantly anti-commercial film, Die My Love is well worth checking out. But for viewers who enjoy more plot-driven films, you may leave scratching your head, wondering what exactly you spent your time watching.
