FilmSnobReviews

Title: Brittany Runs a Marathon
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Starring: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

What It Is: Brittany (Bell) is a woman in a cycle of self-destruction. Bad eating habits a lack of exercise and self-destruction via alcohol and marijuana have all lead her to her doctor’s office. Her doctor has told her she’s at high risk for several potentially deadly diseases. With that Brittany, who is struggling with money and lives in New York (notoriously one of the most expensive cities in the United States) can’t figure out how to get fit on her budget. When her neighbor Catherine (Watkins) invites her to her run group…this is the catalyst she needed. She sets a goal to finish the New York Marathon following her successfully finishing a 5k.

What We Think: This film is an absolute treat. So much positivity just permeating through this. Jillian Bell is a delight and you root for her throughout this. With every single thing that gets thrown in her way you want her to overcome it. This is because the script is fantastic. Well-written and playfully delivered. Even the supporting characters don’t feel one-dimensional…unless meant to. This is a real crowd-pleaser that’ll send the people cheering in their living rooms.

Our Grade: A, I missed this one at Sundance even though I tried (as I might) to see it. I am ridiculously happy I finally got to see this. This is a fantastic film, one that’s joyous and full of great stuff. I cannot recommend a film much higher than this one. If you’re feeling down on yourself just allow Brittany to take you on a journey through all sorts of strife to come out of the other side. This one is easy enough to find as it is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.