A mother's unraveling: why critics call this film the Uncut Gems for parents
In short: In Mary Bronstein's 2025 black comedy, Rose Byrne delivers a raw, acclaimed performance as a psychotherapist spiraling under the crushing weight of maternal stress. Following a ceiling collapse, her life descends into a surreal fever dream of isolation, professional boundary-blurring, and desperate attempts to reclaim control over her daughter's health.
Directed by Mary Bronstein, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You marks her return to filmmaking since her 2008 debut, Yeast. The project is deeply personal, inspired by Bronstein's own experiences navigating the severe health struggles of her 7-year-old daughter. To bring this vision to life, Bronstein even sacrificed her director's fee to secure two extra days of shooting during a 27-day production schedule in Montauk, New York, which took place in late 2023 under a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement.
The narrative follows Linda, a therapist whose life is fractured by her daughter's pediatric feeding disorder and a dismissive, absent husband. As her professional and personal worlds collide—marked by a demanding client who abandons a child in her office and a superintendent who offers illicit substances—Linda’s mental state deteriorates. The film’s aesthetic, characterized by surrealist elements added during post-production, mirrors her psychological breakdown, culminating in a harrowing sequence where she removes her daughter's feeding tube.
Critics have lauded the film, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 92% approval rating. Rose Byrne’s performance has been described as "magnificent" and "exquisitely raw," earning her the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, among other accolades. Comparisons to the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems are frequent, underscored by the involvement of producer Josh Safdie and the collaborative history between the director's husband, Ronald Bronstein, and the Safdie team. The film serves as an uncompromising look at the visceral, often invisible, pressures of modern parenting.
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