X
- 2019
- R
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 44 m
- 2019
- R
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 44 m
Summary Hilarious, outgoing and always up for a good time, New Yorker Brittany Forgler (Jillian Bell) is everybody’s best friend ― except maybe her own. At 27, her hard-partying ways, chronic underemployment and toxic relationships are catching up with her, but when she stops by a new doctor’s office to try to score some Adderall, she gets slapp...
Directed By: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Written By: Paul Downs Colaizzo
- 2019
- R
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 44 m
- 2019
- R
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 44 m
Brittany Runs A Marathon
72
6.2
Where to Watch
Summary Hilarious, outgoing and always up for a good time, New Yorker Brittany Forgler (Jillian Bell) is everybody’s best friend ― except maybe her own. At 27, her hard-partying ways, chronic underemployment and toxic relationships are catching up with her, but when she stops by a new doctor’s office to try to score some Adderall, she gets slapp...
Directed By: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Written By: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
72
73% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
24% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
72
73% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
24% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
The thing that truly makes the movie, though, is Bell.
The tone of “Brittany,” and its emotional impact, reminds me of Amazon’s other heartfelt winner, “The Big Sick,” which netted Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon an Oscar nod for original screenplay. Colaizzo should get one, too.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 44 User Ratings
6.2
59% Positive
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
25% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
16% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 44 User Ratings
6.2
59% Positive
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
25% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
16% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
"You changing your life and wanting to run this marathon was never about your weight. It was about you taking responsibility for yourself."
This isn't some weight loss PSA that's trying to get you to workout. As a matter of fact, the whole exercising aspect isn't even really that important. Instead the significance of the story is that it reveals how attempting to improve even one area of your life can open up doors for change in others. The attempt doesn't need to be body related either. That's just the route this film chose to show. Many have found other ways achieving near-identical results. Be it seeking higher education, a change of scenery, or new relationships. It just takes identifying a problem and then making a conscious effort to fix it.
This kind of thing isn't some cure-all that will give you a carefree existence. Brittany goes through just as many low points as she does high ones. Yet, even though her life isn't perfect when all is said and done, she does end up in a much better place with more confidence and several of the things that she had been seeking. All because she decided to make a change. A beautiful and inspiring thing to behold. Especially since it can happen for any of us.
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Brittany Runs a Marathon is a quirky, relatable and, at times, upsetting comedy that has far more heart than its promotional materials might suggest. Whilst this film does joke and mock stereotypes, it also gives its characters a much needed chance at redemption, and to change their ways.
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The movie sometimes seems (like its title character) to drag its feet. It’s messy, but with the untidiness of real life.
The movie is very hard on its protagonist, and not all the obstacles, humiliations and setbacks escape the realm of cheap pathos. Bell and company keep it honest, though.
Bell is as hilarious as ever. But she also emotes great empathy. Those smiles and tears are genuine. Fittingly, she’s given all of us going through the same thing what we have been looking for: a step in the right direction.
Colaizzo’s dialogue often crackles with modern idioms and good pithy comments, flowing from the distinct characters in easy fashion. As a director, he’s paced the action well. He knows what he’s doing, even when he’s doing the wrong thing.
The film is inspirational only in the sense that it may inspire an uptick in Amazon searches for running gear.
Brittany gets it right - that feeling you have in the pit of your stomach when you push away everyone who cares about you. A feeling I've had for a long long time. So self destructive.
A perfect-10 movie, reflecting the reality of life, wouldn't have a happy ending. This movie has one. But the first 60 minutes absolutely nails it.
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Jillian Bell works hard. Both as a character and for the character. And by hard, I mean, they mean, watch her go through this pound by pound.
Brittany Runs A Marathon
For Paul Downs Colaizzo, the writer and director, this is an incredible achievement. Almost as if participating and winning the marathon. This is something he has done the first time and he is hitting all the right notes. And I am even going to call this one, a crowd pleaser. Now, not only doesn't it just uses a concept that is common and often lightly taken. But even his take has a particular new spin, a new angle- even the cinematography helps a lot when it shoots those new ideas on screen and you see a completely odd frame suggesting the birth of that notion- that is meticulously charged. The camera work focuses, crops and sharpens those details, enhancing this familiar tale into a bright New York morning of social media world. It specifically focuses on a definite crowd and yet comes off for everyone. Now, that is definitely not for the diplomatic approach of it; for there are a couple of scenes that might suggest it. But it is the tendency of that graph to always, and mind you always, land on something you'd expect. From the montage sequences that rises up to the unnerving meltdowns that we all are looking forward to. Aforementioned, within these 100 minutes, the film touches all those sweet notes delicately on the floor. And by the time, Brittany Runs A Marathon, that floor, the track has been more of a habit, than a home. Not a habit you cannot push yourself away from but the ones you create consciously. Among many, many supporting characters, my favourite is her, Bell's roommate, showcasing one of the most common and least represented groups of people in the movies, that we actually survive daily.
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I will be honest and admit that I had very low expectations for this film, especially since I have never considered Jillian Bell a funny actress nor deserving of a leading role but here we are.
But it turns out that Brittany Runs to Marathon didn't end up being a disappointment. It wasn't a surprise either but among comedies of this type that are usually plagued with stereotypes and cliches, the script in general felt more honest than I could have expected in the first place although the rhythm problems and especially the ending end up derailing the best elements of the story.
However, I still consider it an option above average and although it has nothing really special, it's not a banal option and stands out enough for trying to be something better.
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Probably the most garbage movie I've ever seen. I really need to know who green lit a movie where the main character is a piece of garbage. Having lost 100lb myself I was so excited for this movie. I don't care about celebrities, but if you told me that I was going to actually lose all this weight for a movie and then this was that garbage.... Wow. Just wow
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After watching this I can see why there are no noteworthy female comics. I had to turn off halfway through due to cringe alone.
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Production Company
Material Pictures,
Picture Films
Release Date Aug 23, 2019
Duration 1 h 44 m
Rating R
Tagline You can't rush progress.
Awards
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
BMI Film & TV Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
São Paulo International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
