Tully ... how did it make you feel? (**spoilers**)

[mammyoftwo]

I actually made it to the cinema (albeit by myself) to see it yesterday.

Having seen the trailers I was extremely excited to see it..........looking forward to laughs. And there were lots. The first part of the film was what I expected. Then there was "the twist". Then the ending.

I came away with a bag of mixed emotions.....sad for the character (and rl mums in that situation) that the demands of mothering could lead to "the twist". But I was encouraged that there was no relationship breakdown; a husband genuinely concerned for the well-being of his wife and doing his best. And I loved the overall message the film left me with; the importance of self-care, and doing parenting as a team.

I was quite emotional, and teary at times during it. Maybe it resonates as we have no family nearby and feel we are parenting by ourselves, with no-one to babysit and pretty much no couple time.

Just wondered how anyone else found it?

[mammyoftwo]

Some of the audience beside me commented at the end they were disappointed there were less funny baby moments, did you find that?

[WishTheGroundWouldSwallowMeUp]

not seen it but, saw the film review thing on BBC this morning.

looks interesting.

[mammyoftwo]

There was no hint of a twist in the trailers, but I still very much enjoyed it. Worth 90 mins of your life, particularly if you are a mother.

[RainbowBriteRules]

I haven’t seen it but am aware of the spoiler / twist and am glad as I probably won’t watch it now. I thought it would be a relatable comedy which ended up making me feel better as it acknowledged the shit bits of parenting with a few laughs.

Actually I fear it almost trivialises an incredibly serious condition (not that PND is not serious but this is off the scale serious) by just chucking it in there as a twist. If you’re going to make a film about that (don’t want to give too much away!), do it justice!

Also it almost explains that she found it difficult because she was ill. Rather than a life affirming, she found it difficult because it is fucking difficult. Also it could have been a wake up call to any men watching it that being a mum is hard, rather than again it being excused with her being ill.

I think it’s good stuff like this is discussed but I guess I had been hoping for something like Bad Moms which never fails to make me feel better if I am finding parenting hard. I’ll watch the DVD but won’t go and see it in the cinema. I am already disappointed just knowing the plot.

Mind you, I haven’t seen it so might be talking bollocks .

[mammyoftwo]

That's a fair enough point, rainbow. I know what you mean about expecting bad moms and getting something very different. I know the husband wasn't perfect, but I loved how he was in her corner. Flawed as he was, he was doing his best.

[RainbowBriteRules]

Ahh hadn’t realised the husband is supportive. I’ll watch it but will definitely wait for the DVD. If I didn’t know the true plot I would have been annoyed - it is blatantly marketed at mums with small children so any time to go to the cinema is a rare treat and I would have felt a bit misled iyswim.

[RainbowBriteRules]

I think it is really important to raise awareness of perinatal mental health and this film is one way of doing that I guess. I feel it is at the expense of some of the mental health of the parents watching the film as they may have come for a much needed break, for something they could completely relate to, not for something which seems to blatantly put the twist in as a bid to win an Oscar or some other award!

[mammyoftwo]

Those are fair comments. I certainly came out having gone through an emotional rollercoaster I didn't expect!

[rookiemere]

I went to see it by myself as well. I loved the scene where she swears at the headmistress- that was ace. I thought it odd that they didn’t have a diagnosis for their DS - that didn’t ring true.

I have mixed feelings about the “twist”. It seemed to trivialise some of the earlier film, and came and went too quickly for what was in other respects a slightly slow film. Also seemed to give the message it was all the DHs fault when he seemed to be trying reasonably hard with things.

[MsJuniper]

I watched it at a parent and baby screening this morning and there was an audible gasp when she knocked over the expressed milk. I have a 6-week-old and loved the realism of the depiction of early parenthood although occasionally it felt almost too close to the bone.

I hadn't been expecting a comedy so didn't feel disappointed by its not being that funny but I did enjoy the humour that was there.

I thought the twist was really good as there had been a feeling throughout of something "not right" and little signposts so for me it was more of a Sixth Sense prickly neck thing which turned the whole film on its head, not a gratuitous tacked on at the end thing.

[RainbowBriteRules]

If you want a realistic comedy about new parenthood, The Letdown on Netflix is amazing. I’ve just binge watched it.

[FinnMcMissile]

I liked it, I thought it gave an honest depiction of how hard it is. As soon as it started I felt so much sympathy with the character - I also have a baby and preschooler and have basically zero time for myself. I liked the twist, but it made me feel really emotional. It made me feel sorry for her, and for myself. It's interesting that despite the twist, there is not much more for the character to do than just get on with things, albeit with a little bit more help from her husband. I feel like this sometimes too.

[SavageBeauty73]

It made me vow to never have another baby even though my kids are teenagers and I'm single 😂

[RainbowBriteRules]

Savage

[mammyoftwo]

Can I watch The Letdown anywhere other than Netflix? Ta

[RainbowBriteRules]

I don’t think you can unfortunately. I think it was on an Australian tv channel but it comes up on Netflix as a Netflix original and I can’t see it available to buy anywhere.

[mammyoftwo]

Ok, thanks!

[calzone]

I just went on my own to see it.

I found it very moving actually.


I thought it was going to go one way 🤨🤨 and was relieved when it didn’t!!




The Letdown is brilliant.

[mmack]

I saw it at the weekend. I thought Charlize Theron was brilliant-I don't think I've ever seen any other actress portray the kind of sweaty, crumpled feeling I always had in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. And it was nice to see a couple with a normal looking house instead of a perfect mini-mansion. I think it was very realistic the way her husband and brother both genuinely loved her but weren't really playing close enough attention.
There were only 4 people in the cinema when I saw it and it's a pity that films like this don't get a bigger audience.

[mammyoftwo]

Totally agrd mmack!

[Dancergirl]

I thought it was a great film.

I didn't see the twist coming AT ALL! That explains the weird bit with Tully dressing up in the sexy outfit and seducing the husband.

I'm going to see it again with dd.

[mammyoftwo]

Is it ok to ask what age your dd is?

[Dancergirl]

She's 15 mammy

[Loopytiles]

Am not going to see it because from having read the plot it sounds like “the twist” is a hugely unrealistic portrayal, and just a more subtle way of Hollywood trivialising things like that.

[curlyrebel]

I really enjoyed it too and would recommend other mums to watch it. I too went to see it on my own (after putting my baby DD to bed I told my DH right I'm out of here!).

I did expect more comedy than drama but wasn't disappointed. Great script and Charlize Theron was fantastic as usual. The scenes after her baby was born really brought back to me the craziness of those first few months. I didn't see the twist coming at all but then it just all fell into place and I thought it was very clever.

I don't think it was Hollywood trivialising things at all. Seems to be a very indie film and I hope it becomes more successful.