Disability in cinema often comes with an Oscar promise attached, as actors automatically jockey for recognition of their work. Rarely is that performance stripped back to its bare bones to reveal the person beneath dealing quietly with their struggle instead of on an inorganic cinematic soapbox. Thankfully, Lila Neugebauer’s Causeway achieves just that aided in no small measure by Jennifer Lawrence on solid form.
Pictured in close-up as a car sits out of focus, Neugebauer introduces the audience to Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence) in silence. Detached, disorientated, and withdrawn – it is a low-key moment amongst many in the opening ten minutes which sets the tone and directorial intent. There are no hints of a film star here, as Lawrence exhibits post-traumatic symptoms alongside restrictive motor movement.