The affecting and uplifting drama Causeway centers on two damaged people and the unlikely friendship that can help them both heal. Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence) is a civilian engineer attached to a combat unit, who suffers traumatic brain injury from an IED explosion in Afghanistan. James (Brian Tyree Henry) is an auto mechanic who has suffered a family tragedy and is adrift in a morass of grief and guilt.
After regaining most of her motor skills in a challenging rehab, Lynsey returns to her hometown of New Orleans to complete her recovery. Once we learn that her broken family is an ever-partying mom and a junkie brother that she speaks of as dead, it becomes clear why Lynsey escaped by immersing herself in achievement and structure.
When Lynsey’s truck breaks down, she meets James, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. Although they are both working class New Orleans natives, they make an unusual pair of buddies, with different races and different levels of fitness, one approaching life with determined focus, the other aimless.
The relationship between Lynsey and James builds organically with complete authenticity, with just one exception that keeps Causeway off my best of the year list. Dramatically, there needed to be one event that threatened the friendship at the end of the second act; indeed, one character comforts the other one with exactly the wrong action – and it briefly took me and The Wife out of the film. But, it doesn’t ruin the the rest of the film, which is uncommonly genuine.
Jennifer Lawrence is excellent as a character who is dazed much of the time, before she gets to exude the Jennifer Lawrence brightness. After Lawrence has earned massive paychecks from four Hunger Games and four X-Men franchise blockbusters, Causeway represents her return to more adult, thoughtful films. [Amazing note: Jennifer Lawrence is the first person born in the 1990s to have won an acting Oscar.]
The revelation for me was the even better performance by Brian Tyree Henry (Emmy-nominated for Atlanta and This Is Us). Wow – this guy can act. There isn’t a single false note as Henry portrays James’ despondence, self-loathing, compassion, gentleness, worldliness and disappointment.
The distinguished stage actor (three Tony nominations and an Obie) Linda Emond is perfect in the small role of Lynsey’s mom.
Causeway is the first feature for director Lila Neugebauer, and it’s impressive work. I love New Orleans, and I was impressed at how Neugebauer delivered the vibe of the city without any shots of the city’s many tourist-friendly, easily recognizable locations. (I did spot the Maple Leaf Bar and neighboring Jacque Imo’s in one background.)
Causeway is streaming on AppleTV.