DeepSummary
Glenn Weldon and culture writer Margaret H. Willison discuss the film 'Am I OK?' which stars Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a woman in her 30s grappling with the realization that she is queer and her close friendship with Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) is in trouble as Jane prepares to move to London. The film is based on the experiences of screenwriter Lauren Pomeranz and directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne.
They analyze the film's portrayal of coming to terms with one's sexuality later in life, with Margaret relating to Lucy's journey as someone who realized she was bisexual at 32. Both appreciate the fresh perspective but feel the film could have delved deeper into Lucy's emotional journey and her friendship with Jane.
While finding the film quiet and well-observed overall, they discuss areas where it falls short, such as the pacing, lack of resolution for certain storylines, and a few tonal inconsistencies. However, they are positive about the film's subject matter and star power bringing more visibility to this underrepresented experience.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The film 'Am I OK?' offers a fresh perspective on coming to terms with one's sexuality later in life.
- It sensitively portrays the internal and external struggles a person can face in this journey of self-discovery.
- While well-observed, the film could have delved deeper into certain aspects of the main character's emotional arc.
- The film's star power and distribution through Max give it the potential to reach a wide audience with an underrepresented story.
- Human experiences with sexuality exist on a spectrum, and films exploring diverse narratives can be impactful.
- Honest portrayals of friendship dynamics can resonate deeply, even if certain storylines feel underexplored.
- The pacing and tonal shifts may not work for all viewers, but the film offers moments of levity alongside its more serious themes.
- Overall, 'Am I OK?' is a thoughtful, if imperfect, exploration of self-acceptance and how it can shape close relationships.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Yeah. Jane, I'm 32 years old.“ by Lucy
- “There's no timeline to figuring it out.“ by Jane
- “People figure this out when they're, like, nine.“ by Lucy
- “Nine? When I was nine, I pretended I was a puppy and I would only bark at people.“ by Jane
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Episode Information
Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR
6/10/24
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