Rachel Morrison is a masterful cinematographer, and it has been a delight to see how great she is as a director. Her latest film, LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, is a genre-bending exploration of guilt and grief with Margaret Qualley’s best performance to date. There is nothing especially novel about the script, but the beauty lies in its pacing, allowing for a contemplative quality that spans across multiple years, and what the main character would consider multiple lifetimes. And no surprise, the film is beautifully shot, with many scenes that make postcard-worthy stills.
Maya (Qualley) is a 26-year-old nurse living in Boston. She loves restoring old furniture and responds to an ad, agreeing to purchase a desk from a handsome young man, Charlie (Gabriel Basso). But when she discovers a tape Charlie forgot to take out of one of the drawers, it creates the perfect excuse for the two to meet up again; thus begins a beautiful romance that ends in marriage. Things are going well, seemingly too well, and even the small spats between the couple are handled with care. But of course, life can’t be that easy and when COVID hits, Maya is forced to work long hours in the ICU. I’m sure you can imagine where this is heading… but needless to say, this singular event causes a hurricane in her life, one that she can decide to confront head-on or run away from. You’ll have to see which path she takes.
LOVE OF YOUR LIFE is completely dependent on the performance of the lead actor, and Qualley is at her absolute best in the film. Screenwriter Julia Fox’s script creates an acting gold mine, with a tremendously emotional character arc that gives Qualley a lot of room to work within. Qualley has such natural charisma, her acting feels so realistic you quickly develop an interest in Maya and want the best for her, even when you don’t always agree with her decisions. It’s easy to see why the film’s romantic interests fall so easily in love with her. Because the character (and Qualley herself) exudes such a bright aura, it makes it all the more painful to watch when she starts going to a dark place.
While this story is not groundbreaking, Fox’s script expertly avoids the melodrama that could be associated with overcoming tragedy. The film instead focuses on the beauty of Maya meeting the love of her life at such a young age, contrasted with the nightmare of living her remaining years without him. I also appreciate the decision to break up the action into multiple parts based on Maya’s age. This helps to visualize where Maya is in her life and facilitates the film’s transition between acts, beginning as a romance, then transitioning into a horror and drama in the latter half. I do think the COVID angle is a bit jarring and a little too on-the-nose, seeming more like a manufactured way to make the story feel more prescient. However, I will admit that it makes for a compelling vehicle for Maya’s guilt, as opposed to her being at fault for a car accident or another more clichè death.
LOVE OF YOUR LIFE is an engaging, poignant character study that will leave you in your feels… and wanting to travel to Portugal. It’s the kind of weighty romantic drama that Hollywood doesn’t make as much of these days, instead focusing on young adult romance adaptations (at best). From the exceptional direction and cinematography to the sensational performances, the film will encourage you to think deeply about the concept of the “love of your life.” Can you only have one, or is there room for multiple loves depending on the stage of your life and your openness to receiving them?
My Review: B+
