Lynne Ramsay's "Die, My Love" Analysis: Love as Suffering

Contents:

• Love as a story
• Love as support
• Love as a way to overcome difficulties

On November 27, the film "Die, My Love" will be released in Russia, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, and directed by Lynne Ramsay. This film, touching on the topic of a crisis in family relationships, has caused heated debate in society. She has captivated audiences: some admire her, others express dislike, but it's impossible to remain indifferent. Film critic Elena Bolotnova tried to understand the sources of such heated debates and also spoke with voice actors Alexander Gavrilin and Natalia Gracheva to find out their views on love.

Love as a Story

Grace and Jackson decide to change their scenery and move to a secluded area of ​​Montana. Their previous home was in New York City, a city usually considered suitable for musicians and writers. However, Jackson soon came across an inheritance: a house located on the edge of the woods. At first glance, this home seems like the perfect place for a couple to raise their future child and focus on their creative work.

However, isolation from the social life she's accustomed to takes a toll on Grace's already fragile mental state. With the birth of her child, the situation worsens: Grace's postpartum depression takes the form of psychosis, and her husband, lacking the necessary skills to provide support, can only helplessly shrug his shoulders.

What could have been a touching love story turns into a conventional thriller—that's how this film can be described. Lynne Ramsay's work oscillates between mundane reality and vivid madness. The viewer feels trapped, along with the characters, in an endless cycle where yesterday's idyll gives way to tomorrow's chaos. It is impossible to change anything, because Grace and Jackson decided on their own path.

It is noted that the unusualness of what is happening and the ways in which Ramsay conveys his story attract special attention. The inconsistent chronology of events, original sound design and visual effects create an atmosphere reminiscent of either a dream or a state of delirium from a high temperature. With each passing moment, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish where reality ends and the supernatural begins. This is especially noticeable when new elements begin to appear in the plot, such as suspicious changes in Jackson's behavior or a mysterious motorcyclist who unexpectedly appears next to Grace.

Ultimately, madness finds a way to manifest itself. Jackson comes to the realization that his wife truly needs support, and she is ready to sacrifice her ambitions for the sake of their shared well-being. However, a new attempt to restore harmony leads them in a completely unexpected direction. The future of their family life remains uncertain: the film does not offer an answer to the question of how to break this endless cycle.

Love as Support

The film's plot draws inspiration from the work of Argentine author Ariana Harwich. At the center of the story is a young mother who, together with her husband and newborn child, moves to a dilapidated house in the French province. The protagonist's name is unspecified, allowing Harwich to paint a general picture of a desperate woman on the brink of tragedy.

The author's work focuses on the sense of alienation the protagonist experiences in everything around her: in space, in people, and even in herself. She doesn't simply face the challenges of being a mother—she struggles to be herself in the full sense of the word. She is constantly plagued by fears, anxiety, and mental darkness. Like Ramsay in the film, Harwich doesn't offer specific diagnoses. Nevertheless, the heroine seems to be on the brink of madness from the very beginning, and perinatal depression becomes only a trigger for a further exacerbation of her condition.

Harwich's work is centered on the depiction of women, often mothers, and the question of what constitutes normality. In her new novel, Perder el juicio, which translates to "Losing Your Mind" or "Losing in Court," the author describes the adventures of the protagonist, who finds herself in a difficult situation after kidnapping her children and setting off on a dangerous journey with them. The novel "Die, My Love" was the first work of Ariana Harwich, where she began her journey - an ongoing exploration of the themes of love and madness, which are intertwined and sometimes become indistinguishable.

Lynne Ramsay masterfully blends the mood of Harwich's works with her unique approach. Her most famous film, "We Need to Talk About Kevin," also explores maternal love while also focusing on anxiety about one's child's fate. This theme permeates all of her work. So it's no surprise that for her new project, Ramsay chose Harwich's novel, in which the protagonist hesitates to end her life, considering the potential consequences for her son.

This project would not have been possible without the deep involvement of everyone involved in the creative process. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, who starred, also served as producers. For Lawrence, who was expecting her second child during filming, the film was a special revelation: "As a mother, it was difficult for me to separate my actions from what her character would do."

Martin Scorsese, who first suggested the idea of ​​adapting the novel, also produced the film. He also filmed several funny videos featuring his daughter, thereby demonstrating his active support for the project.

Love as a Way to Overcome Difficulties

At first glance, it seems that the entire plot is focused on Grace. The film can hardly be characterized as a romantic drama; rather, it is a tragic story of one woman, reflecting the fates of many mothers. The twisted narrative emphasizes that we are in Grace's world. She acts as an unreliable narrator, leaving the viewer in a position where the only option is to trust her and follow the plot.

The film presents itself as a true work of female gaze, focusing on the female experience and its perception. At first glance, it may seem that the film explores themes of motherhood, postpartum depression, and other aspects unique to women. For Ramsay, however, postpartum depression is just one of many signs of the protagonist's instability and her life situation.

Ramsey views Grace's experiences as a reflection of common female trials. Jackson's reactions, in turn, reveal much about the internal conflicts within their family. For much of the plot, the character is focused on his own needs and desires, while his bewilderment about his wife's condition remains noticeable.

The actor who voices the characters, providing the voice of Robert Pattinson.

It seems to me that my character found himself in a trap bordering on madness and schizophrenia. He is genuinely attached to Grace and has real feelings for her. This is evident in his willingness to accept her game and perceive her spontaneity. However, at first, he simply doesn't realize that, in the words of Jennifer Lawrence herself, she is "losing her mind."

He doesn't understand all the nuances, but he readily gets involved in this game. At some point, it turns into real madness, and it becomes difficult for him to discern where the line is. As soon as he begins to realize this, it turns out that it is too late. Getting out of this situation is extremely difficult for him. He cannot decide whether it is worth trying to get out at all and how to do it, because he is attached to his feelings. As a result, he becomes a prisoner of his emotions.

Recalling the moment at the party when she returns from the psychiatric clinic, it becomes obvious: it is as if everything that happened earlier is left behind, as if they were trifles. He again begins to perceive her behavior with wariness and caution. When she begins to lose control again, his reaction becomes so intense that you can almost see a nervous breakdown.

In my opinion, Robert Pattinson's performance is simply magnificent, and I sincerely hope he gets an Oscar nomination. This certainly confirms his genuine affection for the role. As for her condition, things are much more complicated – she suffers from an illness and her psycho-emotional state is unstable. Perhaps she truly has feelings for him, but it is also possible that she does not. This is the most significant question. I think it is in Jackson's soul that love is dying. Although, perhaps, her disappearance is connected with her own problems, and feelings are fading inside her due to illness.

Ramsey offers viewers a unique challenge - to determine where the line is drawn between between the norm and the disease. However, he doesn't provide any clues to make this task easier. Moreover, he doesn't clarify whether love should be considered an illness. This evokes the question of whether Grace was initially healthy. There is no answer to this question, and what happens to her remains open to debate (or requires special analysis).

It is worth noting a number of films that depict women experiencing mental illness. Among them are Mother! starring Lawrence, Black Swan directed by Aronofsky, and Antichrist by Trier. Ramsay also highlights two other works that served as her inspiration: A Woman Under the Influence (also known as A Woman Unsane) and Repulsion. These films typically tell of tragic events that lead to the destruction of the main characters' destinies. However, in all of these stories, there is a moment when the characters' lives appear quite prosperous. In contrast, in the film "Die, My Love" the viewer is confronted with madness from the very beginning, already at the exposition stage.

At the very beginning of the film, the characters seem happy. However, we don't have enough information to understand what prompted them to leave their presumably successful lives in the big city and move to an old, crumbling house in the countryside. It's also unclear why they don't pursue what truly interests them, or what their intimate relationship is like. It seems their relationship was doomed from the start, and they simply ignored the warning signs inherited from their turbulent beginning.

The frame structure itself—static and shot from a low angle—is reminiscent of a haunted house horror film, hinting at a less-than-ideal reality. Ramsay leaves no chance for the viewer to comprehend the events on the shore; he constantly immerses them in a world of hallucinations. The non-linear approach to the plot only enhances this feeling: suddenly emerging fragments of memories seem to open a portal to an alternate reality.

"Perhaps everything that previously brought pleasure in their relationship—whether it was the great sex, her slightly eccentric nature, or even the possible mental health issues that were perceived as something special—now begins to seem excessive and a little off-putting."

Lynne Ramsay for Time

Both of them are somewhat strange individuals, and always have been. However, Jackson is still able to find supports that help him stay connected to reality. While Grace, virtually isolated in a house she doesn't like, with a baby and a dog she didn't want, slowly begins to lose her mind.

Grace has a penchant for self-harm, as it allows her to feel some emotion when everyone else seems to have faded. At the same time, she tries to numb the last vestiges of emotion with alcohol. Ultimately, she has trouble distinguishing between reality and fantasy, and she clearly doesn't realize she's hallucinating.

There's no hope that the situation will improve on its own—Grace relies on Jackson for support. However, her needs go unnoticed, and there's no one there to help. When those around her try to support her through postnatal depression, Grace feels frustrated: they don't realize that her current condition worsened after giving birth, and that she's always been a bit withdrawn. Treatment in a psychiatric hospital did not solve her problems, but we realize this only at the end.

An actress known for her voice, Jennifer Lawrence.

Today, we have achieved a significant level of psychological awareness and development. Many of us are actively engaged in self-improvement and exploration of our inner essence, as well as analyzing relationships with others. We have extensive knowledge about codependency and boundaries, both personal and those related to others. We understand the importance of self-sufficiency and self-actualization, and we recognize the need to provide space and freedom to our partners, avoiding imposing expectations and demands. However, in the process of this realization, we have become more selfish, sometimes distancing ourselves from each other and even from ourselves. In some cases, what we consider a "healthy relationship" may actually be just a way to avoid true intimacy. Grace, despite her obsessive passion, which manifests itself in painful relationships and internal disharmony, feels whole and complete. She always feels something is missing. However, at the climax, when her obsession reaches its peak, she takes an action that clearly demonstrates that her lover comes first. This step raises many questions about how their life together will develop. It's a sacrifice of sorts on her part: an attempt to free her loved ones from her presence and the suffering she brings them, giving them the opportunity to live their lives differently.

The situation here is far from simple; in fact, it's a rather sad and tragic story. We all perhaps dream of a brighter outcome for it. However, the fact that people continue to stay together, don't abandon each other in difficult times, try to support and help, despite all the obstacles, and still take steps towards each other—perhaps this is true love. Even if at first glance it may seem abnormal.

Jackson stayed by her side until the very last moment—for me, that's a testament to true love. The key moment in this film is that he never left her. She, in turn, made an extremely difficult choice to give him the opportunity to live. They both make sacrifices for each other. I can't say how this aligns with modern notions of love, as sacrifice is perceived differently these days. Nevertheless, the question remains: are you willing to give up a piece of yourself—your life, your happiness, or your time—for another person? In this film, the characters are just trying to give each other something.

Particular attention should be paid to the animalistic theme that permeates the entire story. From the first pages, Jackson and Grace exhibit behavior reminiscent of animals - this is how Ramsay interprets their stormy feelings. However, Jackson eventually returns to society, while Grace remains isolated, unable to do anything but scream in despair.

This trope is quite common - just think of the recent film "Night Bitch," in which Amy Adams plays a woman who turns into an animal. However, while director Marielle Heller uses the language of body horror, Ramsay creates real drama without metaphorical language.

One can assume that Grace is really capable of tearing up the wallpaper and making growling sounds instead of responding. In her desperation, she behaves like a cornered animal. Pregnancy also acts as a kind of catalyst, as it awakens new traits and instinctual desires in her.

In the end, Grace rejects the concept of love as a social phenomenon that imposes on her the duties of an ideal wife. In contrast, Jackson witnesses the fading of love in the literal sense—it vanishes, consumed by a forest fire. Ramsay thus presents an unusual manifesto of self-love: for Grace's disturbed consciousness, self-sacrifice becomes the only way to protect her desires and identity. Even if that desire is to love.

"I wanted it to feel light and free, not oppressive..."

Lynne Ramsay for Time

For more on the female experience in film, see:

• The Female Gaze in Cinema: How Films Help Women Escape the Shadows of Stereotypes.
• "Showgirl": A New Film Starring Pamela Anderson
• The X Trilogy: How a Film About a Porn Actress Became a Feminist Horror Standard.
• "If I Had the Chance, I'd Kick You": Mom, Take Me Back to the Womb.

The dubbing actor reproduces the voice of Robert Pattinson.

It seems to me that my character was trapped in madness, almost on the verge of schizophrenia. He is sincerely attached to Grace and has real emotions for her. This is manifested in the fact that he accepts her performance. He considers her spontaneity sincere and at first does not realize that, as Jennifer Lawrence herself says in an interview, her behavior is unstable.

He does not realize all the nuances, but happily participates in this game. At some point, it begins to resemble real madness, and he loses track of where the line is. When he finally manages to realize it, it turns out that time has already passed. Getting out of this situation becomes extremely difficult for him. He doesn’t know whether he needs to leave this state at all and how to do it, because his feelings for the game are too strong. As a result, he becomes a hostage to his own emotions.

Remembering the moment at the party when she returns from the psychiatric clinic, it becomes clear that everything that happened earlier seems insignificant, as if it were just an illusion. He again begins to perceive her behavior with distrust and caution. And when she breaks down again, his reaction becomes so strong that you can see signs of a nervous breakdown.

Robert Pattinson’s performance, in my opinion, is simply brilliant, and I would like to see him nominated for an Oscar. It emphasizes that he truly has a sincere affection for his role. As for her condition, it's much more complicated, as she suffers from illness and is unstable. Perhaps she truly loves him, too, but it's also possible that she doesn't. This is the key question. In my opinion, it's within Jackson that love is beginning to fade. Although, perhaps, her departure is dictated precisely by her actions, and love within her is also fading due to her illness.

Jennifer Lawrence is an actress known not only for her outstanding roles in films, but also for her voice, which was used in the dubbing of various projects.

Currently, we have significant psychological knowledge and are on the way to Self-improvement. We actively engage in self-knowledge and analysis of our interactions with others. We are aware of concepts such as codependency and personal boundaries, and we know the importance of self-sufficiency and self-actualization. We understand the need to provide space and freedom to others, avoiding demands on either them or ourselves. As a result, many of us have become somewhat selfish, finding ourselves in a state of alienation both from others and from ourselves. Sometimes, what we perceive as "healthy relationships" is actually just an attempt to avoid deep emotional connection. Grace, despite her obsession and manifestations of pathology in relationships, as well as some internal disharmony, recognizes the integrity and richness of her life. She always feels like something is missing. However, at the end of her story, despite all these obsessive thoughts, she takes an action that demonstrates that her loved one comes first. This action raises many questions about their future life. It's a sacrifice of sorts on her part: an attempt to free her family from her influence and the pain it brings them, giving them the opportunity to live their own lives.

The situation here is far from simple; in fact, it's a sad and tragic story. Undoubtedly, many of us would like it to have a happier ending. However, the fact that people continue to stay together, don't abandon each other in difficult times, strive again and again to provide support, and, despite all the obstacles, still take steps towards each other—perhaps this is the essence of love. Even if on the outside it may seem like some kind of deviation from the norm.

Jackson stayed by her side until the very last moment—for me, that's a true manifestation of love. The main idea of ​​this film is that he never left her for a moment. She, in turn, took an incredibly brave step to give him a chance at life. Both characters sacrifice themselves. I can't say how much such actions correspond to the modern understanding of love, as sacrifice isn't so popular these days. However, the question remains: are you willing to give up something—your life, your happiness, or your time—for another person? In this film, they both strive to give something to each other.