Marlo and the Night Nanny: Tully
Synopsis
Pregnancy takes a toll on many mothers. A 40-year-old third time mom gets some help around her home in the weeks following her delivery in Tully. Charlize Theron stars as Marlo, who takes time off from her human resources career to have her baby. Her husband Drew (Ron Livingston) is not often involved in taking care of their new daughter because his job requires travel. Also, Marlo lets Drew unwind with his video games. One day, they get a dinner invite from Marlo's brother Craig (Mark Duplass), who offers the couple a night nanny service while Marlo is on leave. She doesn't think she needs it. While home, Marlo nurses the baby and shuttles the older children to school.
After a stress-filled day with the children's principal, Marlo decides to use Craig's gift to contact the service. That night, a 26-year-old woman named Tully (Mackenzie Davis) arrives at the house. Tully lets Marlo rests while she takes care of things around the house, waking Marlo only when feeding time arrives. Tully also bakes some cupcakes, which Marlo uses as a peace offering to the school. She relents in her pursuit to keep her special needs son there, and enrols him in a school that can accommodate his needs. At home, mom and nanny form a bond, and even pay a visit to the neighborhood in Brooklyn where Marlo once lived. The extended evenings, though, start to take their toll.
Evaluation
Tully marks the third time that director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody have worked together. The first is likely the best known because the 2006 movie Juno, which won Cody an Oscar. It's the second time this duo worked with Theron, who starred in the 2011 dramedy Young Adult. Tully is interesting because as the movie progresses, some viewers will wonder how much of Marlo's experiences with Tully are real, and how much of it is imagined. A remark Drew makes makes the difference unclear. Tully clearly helps, but Marlo starts paying the price in the daytime. The film provides some insight into the difficulty of parenthood, but doesn't touch much on the more serious issues Marlo and her son face. The movie, though, creates a sympathetic portrait of a mother who does so much.
Theron, as Marlo, shows a woman trying to keep everything together, even as her life has an ample amount of drama. She tries to do everything instead of asking Drew to do more. Even with Tully, Marlo grows increasingly overwhelmed. Even though she and Drew are successful, she sees Craig and his wife more successful and more in control of their situation. Davis, in the title role, brings a ray of light into Marlo's difficulties. For example, they sit and watch a bit of a show called Gigolos, which Marlo enjoys while Drew sleeps. In Tully, Marlo sees the sort of younger, carefree, and adventurous woman she once was. They even try something a little risque with an old waitress uniform of Marlo's. Livingston is likely going to be best known for Office Space and Band Of Brothers, is also solid as Drew, a husband who doesn't really understand how best to be supportive in this time.
Conclusion
Maternity leave is a period of transition where a couple welcomes a new addition. In Tully, the mother finds some unwelcome distractions which she tries to address on her own. A nanny brings help, but also inadvertently creates new issues. Tully examines parenthood and the various responsibilities associated with it. Many parents work for a living, but raising children requires more personal attention than any salaried or hourly position. The movie may be a bit uneven, but it gives insight to keeping on top of both the good and bad that comes with parenthood. Days can be so full, some will start to imagine things.
On a scale of zero to four stars, I give Tully three stars. One woman's work.
