Written by M. V. Schroeder
Originally posted on IndieEntertainmentMagazine.com
September 12, 2017
Yes. Absolutely go see this movie, but know what you’re about to get into.
Elizabeth Blue plays like a firework with an hour and a half long fuse. Its got a long slow burn but it packs a punch at the end. It’s only fair warning, if you have any semblance of a soul then this film is going to make you cry Marley and Me level tears.
The protagonist, Elizabeth, is going through some stuff right now in her life. She’s just been released from a mental hospital, she’s got a new psychiatrist, and her boyfriend, Grant, just proposed and she said yes. Now she’s out in the real world again Elizabeth has to juggle new medications, multiple doctor appointments, fight the voices in her head, ignore the hallucinations in her apartment, and plan for a wedding.
Elizabeth is a busy lady but at times the story can get a little slow, and by “at times” I mean this is a slow movie. If you’re looking for intense action scenes and explosions and car chases, this is definitely not for you. Elizabeth Blue is like a romantic comedy except take out all the cute funny parts and replace them with the protagonist crying in the bathtub.
This film is full of almost uncomfortably personal scenes and extreme close ups and long periods of silence that allows the audience to fill in the blanks.
The dialogue was fine. It wasn’t my favorite but there were some good lines every now and then. The acting was good. The film is basically a one woman show and I thought the main actress, Anna Schafer, did an amazing job.
Her fiancé, Grant, played by Ryan Vincent, wasn’t my favorite character. He came off a little too intense for my liking and it made me question the future of their relationship from an early point. It was a nice point of intrigue but I don’t think that was the intention and it took me out of it for a while.
My favorite actors were definitely Elizabeth’s mom, played by Kathleen Quinlan, and Elizabeth’s new psychiatrist, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Adewale played Mr. Eko from the tv show Lost and I enjoyed seeing him play a completely opposite character from his earlier tv role.
The large majority of this film is about mental illness and I can only imagine this is a pretty accurate representation. Personally I have several very close friends who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and schizophrenia, and seeing this story from Elizabeth’s point of view instantly drew me in.
I can’t personally vouch for this film and say “Yes this is exactly what it’s like to suffer from mental illness” but I can tell you I’ve been in Grant’s shoes and watched someone suffer and feel helpless.
Elizabeth Blue has a slow start so get comfy and snuggle up to a loved one because you’re going to need some emotional support at the end.
I give it 4 out of 5 Abilify.
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How bout that? You made it. Are you gonna see it? You gonna see the film?!?!?
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