This movie is both ordinary and extraordinary. I have to confess I almost passed on it after reading a review on this site where the reviewer named Kat Dennings as his favorite actress. I couldn't imagine that. I was a fan of 2 broke girls in the beginning but drifted away from it because I felt it continued to go in a more and more ridiculous direction. I also saw Kat in the Thor movies and felt there wasn't ever going to be anything special about her.
I was wrong. This movie touched me in so many ways I hardly know where to start.
Having dealt with addictions and a major depressive order I feel I'm qualified to comment further. I was captivated by the story, which on its own unfortunately is a common and ordinary one these days. There is a lot to grasp and the pace is neither quick or slow, somehow they got it just right and that in itself is huge. The movie is honest and unapologetic and Kat nailed it. At times I related personally and at others I was reminded of someone in my life. I was totally captivated. The fact that this story is based on a true story was secondary for me.
What made this movie extraordinary for me was that they never really tried to offer a solution. They never tried to preach. Anybody who has ever sought recovery knows it is a very personal and heart-wrenching journey that can't be done alone. This movie somehow captured that.
I expected right from the start to see Kat come out as that brassy bold woman we all know and love, or not, but that wasn't the case. She portrayed perfectly a troubled girl who battled her demons and never felt quite like she was winning. She somehow made me feel like I was seeing something private and I wasn't supposed to be there at all.
The supporting cast was great as well. there were noticeable issues in personality changes in a couple of the characters, but nothing major. The story forgives itself.
This is a must see movie. If for no other reasons than to give your heart a gift. Thank you for this.