This film is melancholy, filled with plenty of potions to amplify the sadness. Rose Byrne delivers a spellbinding performance in this anxiety-filled story. If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You is written and directed by Mary Bronstein who has an eye for creating tolerance in the face of a conflicting pattern. There are a bucket of problems only getting worse while an individual struggles to keep standing and thriving. The concept of resilience runs deepin If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You.

Rose Byrne plays Linda, a mother dealing with her daughters’severe illness. Her husband is not very present in her life, andher home has fallen apart. This puts her and her daughter in a situation where they must live in a motel. Linda finds herself trying to tango with all the moving roadblocks. This includes dealing with a relationship with her therapist, played by Conan O’Brien. Overall, her choices and decisions keep falling down a slippery slope resulting in negative impacts. Given all that is on her plate, her head is speeding with anxiety.

The whole film feels like a ride that just won’t stop. It is a lot to handle, especially in moments when Byrne’s character goes to the motel lobby to buy wine late at night. There are also scenes in which she argues with others, including staff at her daughter’s schools or at resource centers. What is unique in these situations is that they capture the daily human annoyances in life. Bronstein’s direction shows humans can only take so much when many different crises come rushing down like a waterfall.

The film is brilliant. While not Oscar-worthy, it is quiteexperimental. Byrne’s performance is audacious and fearless. I love how the title speaks to the anger in the film. If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You made me want to kick seats in the theatre around me. (Not literally of course!) The anxiety stuck with me throughout my screening during moments when the daughter is having issues and again during the therapist scenario. The director created a vivid portrait which piqued my curiosity. It made me wonder, “When does life give us a break?” If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You inspires viewers to have a stronger mindset…even in times when it seems there are too many mental challenges to face.

There is a point in the film in which questionable choices occur, and Linda thinks about doing drugs to cope with her anxiety. However, that also has consequences. The main conflict in this matter is who will be impacted by this behavior. Clearly, it won’t just impact Linda, but also her daughter’s illness and safety. Despite the troubling aspects explored in If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You, the story makes viewers think and leaves them with an important message. Specifically, if you’re going through hell,you’ve got to just keep going. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You.