Marielle Heller directs Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy and Jessica Harper in this black comedy where a mother feels her life is spiralling out of control to the point where she might be transforming into a dog after hours.

Ultimately an unashamed showcase for the always overqualified Adams. Feels very much like an adaptation of something that worked better as a literary exercise. There are wounding laughs and honest moments… excellent dog and toddler sequences. The feminist empowerment threads don’t bring anything particularly new to the table but Adams takes a fair amount of risk with her glamorous awards darling status. In all fairness a few extra pounds and some messy hair just makes her look a different brand of hot. Probably the biggest swing Heller has taken so far in her exemplary directorial career yet the least exciting.

6

Perfect Double Bill: Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/ and my own Substack https://substack.com/@edinburghlaughterbulletin