One of Sundance Film Festival’s surprise hits, Brittany Runs a Marathon hits the big screen late summer and Amazon studio paid a pretty penny for this release. This film is engaging with Paul Down’s Colaizzo making his writing/directing debut. The film centers around Brittany (Jillian Bell) in her breakout lead role following her doctor’s orders (Patch Darragh) to change her ways of living. and get off the Adderall. Eating healthy in addition to cease and desist on all hard partying is a good start just to reorganize her jumbled up lack of self-esteem life. She takes the right frame of mind and takes to running one block at a time eventually participating in the New York City Marathon.
With the support of friends Seth (Micah Stock) and Catherine (Michaela Watkins) she does what she set out to do but never thought she would accomplish. Colaizzo does a superb job interlacing Bell throughout the actual race itself. The struggle looked and felt real but it is her willpower that prevailed. Adding Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar Pitch Perfect) as her romantic interest gives her a spark. In real life, Bell shed some 40 pounds running. Mind over matter is good medicine. It’s never too late to change. It also stars Erica Hermandez as Molly. What makes this film feel real is Brittany suffering a cramp causing her having to temporary pause on the race. The film opens in smaller markets in August and expands everywhere in September.
This is no science fiction or fantasy fare. It’s a straight from the heart film. 4/5
