Brittany Runs A Marathon
U.S.A. 2019

Opening 24 Oct 2019

Directed by: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Writing credits: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Principal actors: Jillian Bell, Jennifer Dundas, Patch Darragh, Alice Lee, Erica Hernandez

Brittany (Jillian Bell) is a mess, and far from where she would like to see herself at age 28. Little is left of the woman that came to New York for a career in advertising. She is without a job and broke. She has no ambitions, no plans and no meaningful relationships. Her forte but also her "armor"— is her humor: quick, witty and mostly self-depreciating. Behind that mask hides an insecure, unhappy, not always likeable person. She thinks getting a prescription for "happy pills" will 'quick-fix' her life. Instead her doctor insists she lose 50 lbs. and change her lifestyle. By taking care of herself she starts to reclaim her life. From a jog around the block to joining a runner's group, a plan emerges to run the NYC marathon. Encouraged by her running buddies Seth (Micah Stock) and Catherine (Michaela Watkins) and her friend Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar), Brittany is getting closer to her goals.

There have been movies featuring an "ugly duckling" (usually an overweight female) "turning into a swan", having a wonderful life ever after. The audience will be touched by her misfortune or delighted by her humor, or both. This film is not a romantic comedy but a drama about a real-life woman struggling to get back on track. We can appreciate her wit, but she won't make us laugh. Sometimes it's even hard to sympathize with her. But we can relate to her struggle and applaud her for 'hanging in there'.

The marathon scenes where filmed at the New York City Marathon. The enthusiasm and positive energy of over fifty thousand participants all trying — like Brittany— to make it to the finish line for their very own reasons—and over one million people cheering them on, is spilling over, uplifting and encouraging. (Carola A)