Written by Sarah Bergin
Die My Love has taken the pop culture world by storm thanks to casting that a teenager in 2013 would drool over on Tumblr. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star as Grace and Jackson, a tumultuous couple driven by lust and infatuation. Together, they make the move from New York City to the countryside with their newborn baby. Though their characters struggle to acclimate to their new environment and keep their relationship alive, Lawrence and Pattinson’s undeniable chemistry enhances their characters’ dynamic, making even raunchy scenes feel meaningful and intentional.
This can, in part, be attributed to director Lynne Ramsay’s work with the actors. It’s also due to her screenplay, which she adapted along with Enda Walsh and Alice Birch from Ariana Harwicz’s book of the same name. The screenwriting team perfectly captures Grace as an imperfect mother who wants nothing more than to protect her child throughout a crumbling relationship.
Grace takes us through this world by walking her child around the suffocating, rural neighborhood that she now calls home. The only time we can escape is when Jackson does, as he drives to and from or travels for work. The mundane routine that they endure, mixed with Grace’s mental anguish, makes the audience feel as though they are watching a horror film.
The heavy atmosphere is built by small yet impactful moments. When Grace interacts with the locals, she voices thoughts that all of us have likely felt but have been too scared to say. She is quick to harshly dismiss the way-too-friendly cashier while purchasing microwaveable meals. She also is blunt in conversations with Jackson’s mother, Pam (Sissy Spacek), consistently prodding about personal details. Moreover, her newly-onset depression has torn her away from her writing career and sense of self, contributing to the destruction of her relationship with Jackson and her alienation in this isolated environment.
However, while Die My Love covers sensitive topics in a beautiful yet harrowing manner, it confuses itself by prioritizing personal style. Some choices work very well, such as Tim Grimes’s production design. Well-loved granny square blankets in early 1900’s homes, wooden furniture that looks hand-carved by a great-grandfather and family photos placed along the walls all establish small-town, family-oriented values. Catherine George’s costume design is also fantastic. The constant use of denim and flannel both capture the essence of a blue-collar family.
Unfortunately, Seamus McGarvey’s cinematography undercuts these points. Even though it features stunning shots, it doesn’t encapsulate the brutal realism of the characters. The intense visual focus on external objects, such as nature shots, distract from the dialogue and acting. In the end, the cinematography removes the audience from the immersive story and constantly reminds them that they are just watching a movie.
Despite this, the film keeps the audience interested by melding multiple genres. It could be classified as suspense (which my local theatre did) or as a romance. It could be a drama, but also a comedy. At one point, Grace and Jackson are on a drive, poking fun at each other and laughing. Suddenly, they hit a horse, which immediately turns a harmonious conversation into a grave situation. Lawrence and Pattinson effectively switch the tone of the sequence, playing off of each other’s emotions.
Die My Love is, at its best, a masterclass in acting and atmosphere. Lawrence and Pattinson complement each other throughout the film, captivating the audience. At its worst, the film’s disjointed focus and challenging style leave viewers wanting more. Die My Love thrives as a slice of life and piece of art—not as a technical experiment in the art of filmmaking.
