A Mouthful of Air (2021) User Reviews

Tragedy

[AfricanBro · 7/10 · 6 January 2022]

It's not an emotional roller coaster, just a steady cruise down in the dumps. If you don't like sad movies then this one definitely isn't for you, because when it gets depressing it stays that way and when you think it's gonna get better it doesn't. I think it's beautiful in a melancholic way because things don't always end well and these things happen so it'd be disingenuous if every movie or story you read suggests otherwise and they live happily ever after. Only thing close to a fault the movie had for me is Julie's character is only explored surface level but I think if she wasn't it might've made the movie a little too upsetting to watch for people affected by or going through something similar.

Whether you like or not depends on you

[cowgoesmoo · 5/10 · 31 October 2021]

I saw this with my wife. I liked it. She hated it and wanted to walk out. What I liked were the performances. It's a tough topic and I thought Amanda Seyfried pulled it off well. My wife was focused on the story. She thought it started off depressing and then went downhill. She ordinarily doesn't mind dark subject matter, but she also wants Hollywood endings that end on an "up" note and the birth of a grandchild didn't get her there. I think it also hit home because it touched upon some personal areas for her.

One thing that we both didn't like was the ambiguity over Julie's father. At first, he's only visible in flashback and he's absent. My first thought was that her dad sexually abused her. Later, in a flashback, they show her running up the stairs and her father is just about to beat her so we think "Oh, it must be physical abuse". Then he reappears and shows her how to paint but begins to touch her in what - if left unchecked - would be inappropriate for a father/daughter and we think "Oh, so maybe it was sexual abuse after all." I know that some moviemakers think its artistic to "let the audience interpret" but we both hate that. If they're going to say something, say it - don't just let it hang out there. Then again, maybe that's how its written in the book? Anyway, that bugged us both.

Paul Giamatti Should Be In Everything

[johnnyhbtvs27 · 6/10 · 20 January 2022]

Good emotional movie with a stellar central performance from Amanda Seyfried. A great supporting cast with turns from Paul Giamatti & Amy Irving this film is only let down by a less than coherent story thread as it bounces between timelines for no apparent reason. Also found it weird that Britt Robertson turns up at the end of the movie in an important but non speaking role. It's very odd and makes me wonder whether they planned to do more with her and changed course at some point in production.

Clearly ppl don't know what depression is.

[Prekarijus · 10 January 2022]

I had suicidal depression since I was a kid,don't understand why everyone is saying that it's postpartum depression or suicidal depression that led her to suicide,you don't get paranoid like that with it,you don't get panic attacks either you don't even self harm like that from suicidal depression,you self harm to numb the emotional pain from past trauma's,self harm and suicide is two completely different things,ppl who self harm don't want to die,they want to numb the pain,majority of suicidaly depressed ppl don't self harm,usually they don't feel anything to the point they see no point in living,that's why it's so shocking when you find out that person killed him/her self,there's no signs,postpartum depressed moms don't take care of their kids like that either,I know women who had postpartum depression and they couldn't even see their kids let alone take care of them,they would feel disgusted and it's not even treated with the pills,it's made worse with them because it's mostly hormones that cause it and it needs time and therapy,yes she had depression but it's not the nr.1 cause of her suicide,I would say it's ptsd from being molested by her father,you can see that clearly when the father came into her life,clearly he's a pedo who from one side groomed her and other beat her.

How can ppl not see that,look how he touched her at the end of the movie while painting the walls,and then she killed herself realizing she's having a girl who also can be molested,the suicidal thoughts is just a symptom of blocked memories of her being molested,when she realized she was having a baby girl it all went down hill because she saw herself,just remember the moment when she was told the gender-panic attack. While her having a baby boy didn't affect her that much,the part where she constantly thought Teddy could get hurt is also not depression,it's OCD-constant negative thoughts. If all she had is depression she would have been fine without any pills. It's her child memories of her father that's the cause. I'm amazed how they pop pills that affect the baby but don't go to therapy to unlock those memories that's the main cause.

Western medicine,treat the symptom but not the cause-get constant clients who can't stop taking antidepressants because they don't treat the actual cause of the depression.

Powerful and moving postpartum depression family drama

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 31 October 2021]

As "A Mouthful of Air" (2021 release; 106 min.) opens, we are introduced to Julie, a young mother who has a beautiful baby boy and an adoring husband. Yet something isn't quite alright as she seems to struggle taking care of the baby. Soon she spins out of control, and she has suicidal thoughts... At this point we are less than 10 min into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this film is truly a labor of love from Amy Koppelman, who adapts her novel of the same name into a movie. Koppelman is the movie's writer, producer and director (making her feature length debut). I haven't read the book so I can't comment how closely the film sticks to the book. Watching the film as a standalone, I was gripped from the beginning and it didn't take me long to be emotionally invested in the main characters. The movie benefits tremendously by the lead performance from Amanda Seyfried as Julie, in what is one of her best movie roles to date, period. Amy Irvin is a surprise (in the best possible way) as Julie's mom. Paul Giamatti also is quite good as Julie's doctor. The movie is plot-heavy so I can't really comment on how it all plays out. I will say this: this movie flew by in no time (for me anyway). Last but not least: kudos for the somber piano-fronted original score, courtesy of composer John Gürtler, whom I had not heard of before.

"A Mouthful of Air" was filmed 2 years ago and would've been released in 2020, but for a little thing called COVID-19. The movie finally was released in select theater this weekend, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Saturday early evening screening where I saw this at my art-house theater here in Cincinnati was not attended well: exactly 3 people (including myself). Regardless, if you are in the mood for a heavy-duty postpartum depression family drama featuring a powerful Amanda Seyfried, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (while you still can), on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Draw Your Own Conclusions

[Intermissionman_ · 7/10 · 7 November 2021]

Tough to Find the Intention and Obstacle in this Film but each viewer will take it differently. Smart Move without the Blood. Amanda Seyfried really gets the character and her Facial expressions are priceless. I am impressed with her taking on these Emotional Roles, like (The Art of Racing in the Rain) and (Fathers and Daughters). The pace of Movie maybe an issue with Some but recommend riding it out to the very end. Sticks with you, so I may do some editing to my comments after sleeping on it.

Depressingly exquisite

[ks-60500 · 6/10 · 26 January 2022]

Theme itself as expected as stated in the beginning of the movie. Similar theme movie or mental illness had been seen so many time but this one totally done a excellent job. Amanda acts so well but just miss a big award, this might not make her winner but she already the best actress in my head. For the storyline, it is not anything dramatic but probably the very truth side of what postpartum depression is. Things look normal from the outside but in depth it's not ok... it's very sad after watching but bring awareness to stay alert of this illness.

Depressing With Little Reward

[zorroaca · 5/10 · 7 January 2022]

Hard to not like a Amanda Seyfried movie... she wins you over with her eyes. But I didn't care for this one. The subject matter is so important but I don't feel I learned anything new as the subject is being covered a lot. The movie has it's moments but for me... a downer!

A must see, but no joyride!

[FilmFlowCritics · 8/10 · 8 November 2021]

It is so hard to write a spoiler free review for this, as you literally just notice the brilliance of this movie, when its in the last 10seconds!

I will say, the fact how it plays with time, anticipation, expectation and delivery, is simply sooo well done, that you probably can see it twice and still appreciate how well done it is.

The fact that Alysia Reiner and Jennifer Carpenter have such big names, but only appear in the movie for a couple of minutes, if even, is completely ok, even though unexpected AND it just shows you how captivating Amanda Seyfried can be in this, best performance of her career by a landslide.

This movie delivers exactly what "C'mon C'mon" failed to do, it engages you fully into the emotional rollercoaster that movie is. Not for the faint hearted, as it for sure is a sensitive topic, but if you do a movie about this so well, you just have to acknowledge it!

It was okay

[hwg-21795 · 6/10 · 30 November 2022]

It was a great concept but lacked some depth. The bits that we got of the childhood seemed minutely bad but nothing that would cause depression. I guess we were supposed to use our imaginations. The Post partum depression I actually got. My daughter in law had it and she thought the baby was going to starve to death. I didn't understand that was postpartum until someone told me. I thought she was a bit on the looney side as she's always anxious about things in general. That makes sense, she said her childhood was very violent. This move connected the dots a bit more. We need more movies about post partum depression for sure. This movie touched on the topic but not with enough depth. I'm not a fan of figuring out points in movies. I'm watching a movie, I don't like guessing the story. I have my own imagination, I like movies to enjoy others' imaginations.

Most Depressing Movie I have Ever Seen!

[tdavidsaver · 2/10 · 30 October 2021]

I wanted to like this movie. The acting was good, the topic is important. However, not long into the movie, my mother kept saying, "Can it get anymore depressing?" and actually asked to leave. I kept hoping (and assuring her) there would be a glimmer of hope, a turn, a victory, something to encourage those that deal with depression, anxiety, and OCD behaviors. Yet the movie ends hopeless. How is this a responsible message? Yes, the topic needs to be addressed. Yes, not all situations have a happy ending. But I kept thinking through the whole movie, if I dealt with these mental health issues, I would leave feeling completely helpless, the opposite of what those who struggle need to experience. Isn't the point of mental health being addressed recently and at the forefront of much media for people to realize there is help and hope?

So emotional....

[ilovefoodcoma · 8/10 · 31 October 2021]

This film is about mental health, postpartum depression. I love the way they directed the film. Instead of showing knife or bloody scene, they showed her facial expression to let us feel the pain. Such an emotional movie. Amanda did an amazing job portrait her character.

Nicely done depiction of depressiom

[emma965 · 7/10 · 1 December 2022]

Not sure why people here are saying post partum depression because she was always a depressed person from before childbirth, but I guess it makes it more likely Depression is such a silly little umbrella term for so many things humans are succumbed to The film showed that no amount of help would help...it's almost always up to the person to figure their way out of the depths....those depths though can be so enriching for one's own education in life, depression isn't always a negative thing....in fact aware sensitive and intelligent people tend to get it more...they struggle with deep issues and important issues.....cool film though saddish but hopeful which is how the star of the show came across...strong, always striving and ultimately a winner. Just what she produced throughout in inspiring kids books is a gift she gave from her "depression. I'm writing this mid film so don't know the ending but a wonderful film.

I did not like it

[paulinealthoff · 4/10 · 21 September 2023]

I have depression. I was misused. I don't feel this movie represented suicidal depression very well. I was mad at Amanda Seyfrieds character. You KNOW you have depressed and you know you struggle. So yeah, let's have a kid and not take your medications. Oh and then after trying to kill yourself and traumatizing everyone, let's have another kid. How irresponsible! She doesn't only have depression, she is selfish and self centred! She knew what she needed to do and wouldn't do it - take meds and go to therapy. Instead she just traumatized more people. Ugh - I really disliked the portrayal of depression in this movie. I'm actually annoyed writing this. I'm annoyed at the people saying how great it is and how well it portrays post partum depression. This movie isn't great and it does not portray the struggles of depression accurately.

A difficult issue

[Gordon-11 · 26 January 2022]

"A Mouthful of Air" is a film that expresses a difficult issue. It makes viewers care about the characters and the issue at hand. I think Amanda Seyfried did a very good job.

A lifetime movie

[mseboni · 2/10 · 4 December 2021]

Should've been a lifetime movie. This was not big screen material. Boring and had people walking out before it had ended...when it ended I kept thinking this can't be the end. Skip the theaters, watch it on Lifetime or stream. When I go to the movies, I have high expectations to be entertained. Important story line tho.

Baby blues and trauma

[soeprijo19 · 8/10 · 11 January 2022]

Back in the 90's. Where postpartum depression was rarely recognized, women who suffered from it often didn't get the help they need. Amanda Seyfried here played as Julie Davis, a woman with childhood trauma and postpartum depression. And even tough her husband was quite supporting, something still need to be face alone by herself in order to make peace with it.

This movie portrait the postpartum depression in a moderate gentle way. Viewers would sympathize with the protagonist and at the same time ask the question about how can we help women with postpartum depression and trauma. Oh, and don't forget to watch Paul Giamatti's refreshing cameo here.

Worth watching 8/10.

A story told a LOT lately in many movies but it has its moments

[NicholasMCG · 5/10 · 5 January 2022]

This is a topic that has been in so many movies lately and books so it is not breaking any boundaries not already broken BUT it does have some very good acting in it. It's quite sad of course.

A great movie on postpartum depression

[SangamYadagiri · 10/10 · 29 October 2021]

Movie was so good that it gets under your skin. After watching the last scene one would be speechless and as the title says one would be left with a mouthful of air (as a metaphor).

Seriously, all actors did a fabulous job especially Amanda and she deserves an Oscar for a role of a mother suffering from anxiety and depression.

This movie cannot be described in words as the movie itself was based on a novel written by the director. It just got to be watched on screen (big/small) to feel the emotions felt by the actors.

Movie has some simple animations depicting the mood of the main protagonist and also has beautiful poetic moments.

Just go and watch it. My rating is 10/10.

A hopeless hopeless hopeless story

[danielhorrigan-80680 · 5/10 · 14 May 2023]

This is a story of a young woman who struggles with mental illness would it be classified as postpartum I don't think so seems like it was trauma that trauma would relate when she had her child giving her flashbacks of her childhood of the joy of the security and then other turning on her and committing an immoral act that was the trauma of it .He appeared as a loving father then abused her physically and emotionally that she could not live with but there's many women out there that have suffered this that go on for other people's sake for their children for their family and they're strong will to live and there's hope even though she had all the love ones that you need to support her mother and father were her weakest link there's always hope it's not a hopeless story this woman or Creator the story made it hopeless as mental health counselor I don't consider this movie good therapy for women to even watch this that have been through that type of trauma it does nobody any good service it's just a story of hopelessness and the effects of PTSD.

Another worst film! Too slow, and full of annoying overuse scene! Bored to freaking death!

[kwenchow · 1/10 · 11 May 2022]

This film start with a woman "Julie" staring at the sky, and an animation been portrayed scene! As turnout, this film is about the struggle of a woman "Julie" who suffering postpartum depression! Entire film full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Such as, overuse of the walking scene, overuse of the searching scene, overuse of the arguing scene, overuse of the calling names scene, overuse of the staring scene, overuse of the hugging scene, overuse of the kissing scene, overuse of the eating scene, overuse of the drinking scene, overuse of the blackout scene, overuse of the telling story scene, overuse of the therapy session scene, overuse of the animation scene, overuse of the pushing baby chair scene, overuse of the flashbacks scene, overuse of the driving scene, overuse of the lying down scene, and overuse of the talking on the phone scene! Make the film unwatchable! At the end, Julie killed herself! That's it! Wasting time to watch!

Brilliant and Haunting

[ashleykeulen · 10/10 · 8 January 2022]

A mouthful of air, is exactly that. It's painfully raw authentic and relatable. Every single aspect of this movie is spot on to the physiological response you go through body during a panic attach and how it affects every sense in your body the icing on the poetic cake is how it was filmed. Swoon I hate how I love this film, but I do. I can't help it. I understand the feeling. This movie is not meant for everyone the subject matter is so heavy and it doesn't end like you would want It too. For those that do not understand the meaning behind the ending. It IS a movie about hope. Pinky Tinkerbink SAVES the stars. Hope is a wonderfully beautiful and painful spectrum. It is what it is.

Mental Movie

[jeroduptown · 5/10 · 25 August 2022]

Film about mental health/postpartum: okay. Seyfried with perfect hubby and firstworld problems: check. Jump cuts: check. Didn't make me sympathize with her or understand her mental plight.

Severely underrated

[stephaniehallard · 9/10 · 19 August 2023]

One of the most beautifully filmed tragedies out there based on a seldom portrayed mental ilness. I loved the acting, the dialogue is nice and funny at times which gives for a touch of lightness, but don't mistake: this movie is heavy on your heart.

It burns slowly and is quite emotional. No happy ending, because sometimes, in life, there just isn't one. If you can't bear that then this movie is not for you.

It is a wonderful love story despite the love not being enough to survive.

Other reviewers found this movie boring. Obviously this isn't an action movie. It shouldn't need mentioning, but there.

One of the best films of 2021

[James7Bond007 · 10/10 · 10 November 2021]

As a movie buff with an unlimited subscription, I try to see almost every movie in the theater regardless of its reviews - going in with as open a mind as possible. In the case of this film, I absolutely loved it.

While as a man I can't say I have experienced postpartum depression, perhaps what I loved most about this film is its universal relatability for anyone who has ever found themselves depressed in any manner. Amy Koppelman does an outstanding job of sucking the viewer into Julie's world, getting us emotionally invested in both Julie and her family. By the time the end credits were rolling, I was in tears; I was grateful to have had a private screening.

Another reviewer commented on the hopelessness of the ending, but this too is something I loved about this film. 10-15% of those who attempt suicide do eventually die by suicide. The emotional, tragic ending of this film is part of what left it lingering in my memory weeks after watching it.

Many of Shakespeare's plays ended in tragedy, and so too does A Mouthful of Air leave us in despair. What could Julie - or those closest to her - have done to alter the course of events? Perhaps nothing; who knows?