Get ready for a wild ride as we dive into the world of Rose Byrne's latest film, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, where she portrays a mother on the brink. But here's where it gets controversial... is it a birth canal or a void? And what does it all mean?
I was about to ask Rose Byrne, the talented actress from Sydney now based in New York, a rather curly question right off the bat. My notes even said, "Don't ask this first!" But sometimes, just like the chaos that ensues when a ceiling collapses in a biblical flood, leaving a gaping hole, you just have to go with the flow.
"What does this void symbolize, Rose?" I found myself asking.
You see, Byrne was perched beneath a beautifully painted floral ceiling, her white T-shirt glowing in the New York sun. It was a sight to behold, much like her stunning performance in the film.
"Let's start with the simpler questions," she suggested with a hearty laugh, her Australian accent occasionally peeking through her adopted American intonations.
"The ceiling is quite the show-stopper! Someone even likened it to an existential birth canal," she shared.
In a trippy scene, her character, Linda, stares up into this chasm and sees swirling lights, responding with a spookily familiar, "Mum?"
"It's not exactly a birth canal, but it's definitely an intriguing aspect of the film," Byrne explained. "I love exploring the grey areas and the unexplainable parts of being a person. Mary [Bronstein] really pushes those boundaries with this movie, giving it a very Lynchian feel."
Lynchian, a term referencing the late American filmmaker David Lynch, is a perfect description for this film. It operates on multiple levels, offering surreal moments alongside a very bad day in the life of Linda.
Linda, an exasperated therapist with her own fair share of troubles, can be rather brusque with her clients. One such client is Caroline, a new mum played by fellow Australian actor Danielle Macdonald, who is clearly struggling with postpartum psychosis.
"Danielle's performance is fantastic; it's heartbreaking to watch, and Linda isn't making it any easier," Byrne said.
Part of Linda's struggle is the lack of support she receives. Her husband (Christian Slater) is away at sea, offering little more than unsupportive suggestions over the phone, while Linda single-handedly manages the healthcare of their daughter (Delaney Quinn), who suffers from a mysterious ailment that remains unnamed.
Linda is further harassed by the beeping of her daughter's feeding tube and a snooty social worker (played by Bronstein) who constantly questions her medical decisions. Even at work, her colleague and therapist (Conan O'Brien) is dismissive, a far cry from his usual role as a chat show host.
"It's a fun twist to see Conan play a character with contempt for his patient," Byrne noted. "His wit really shines through in this role."
As Linda's panic attack spirals, she and her daughter find themselves cooped up in a seedy motel. In her desperate search for peace, she encounters a pedantic front desk worker (Ivy Wolk) who refuses to sell her wine due to licensing restrictions.
In a moment of need, Linda turns to the motel manager, played by rapper A$AP Rocky, for help in securing other means to ease her pain.
"Rocky brings a unique charm to the screen, a quality that can't be directed. It's either there or it's not, and it provides a sense of relief for the audience," Byrne explained.
However, breathing easy is a luxury this film doesn't offer for long. Byrne, a mother of two, understands the dark humor that can arise from the minutiae of daily life.
"It's the little things that can tip you into the darkest parts of your soul. That's what makes this film so extraordinary and darkly funny—it walks a tightrope between the biggest questions and the smallest grievances," she said.
From an abandoned baby's screams to a feral hamster on the loose and the gunk-raining chasm in her roof, Linda is pushed to her limits.
"Mary's vision was to create a fever-pitch tension that builds up to a car crash you can't look away from. No matter how wild Linda's responses get, we have to stay on her side," Byrne explained, sharing Bronstein's vision for the film.
"We might hate or be disgusted by her actions, but we have to love Linda. Empathy is key," Bronstein added.
Bronstein had complete trust in Byrne's ability to bring Linda to life.
"When Rose came on board, it became a movie. She's a true creative partner, a serious theatre actor who's played Medea and a gifted comedian. I was fortunate to have her talent," Bronstein said.
Byrne's career has come a long way since her early days in films like Dallas Doll and Two Hands. She credits comedy, particularly her role in Bridesmaids, for kicking her career into high gear.
"It was a creative turning point, a freeing yet challenging experience. Something I could really sink my teeth into," she said.
For every excruciating moment in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, there's a laugh-out-loud chaser. The film debuted at Sundance in January and went on to the Berlin International Film Festival, where Byrne was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. Oscars buzz is already building.
"It's surreal to be in this conversation. I'm flattered and vulnerable, like anyone in this business, but I've realized it's out of my hands. I'm just honored to be part of it," Byrne shared.
As we wrap up, I can't help but ask: Is Bobby Cannavale, Byrne's real-life partner and co-star in Medea, a more supportive husband than the one played by Slater in the film?
"Not cheeky at all! Bobby is hyper-present and completely engaged," Byrne replied with a chuckle.
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is now showing in cinemas, offering a unique and thought-provoking experience.
