To Leslie

4 out of 5 stars

Director Michael Morris caused a bit of a stir before the 95th Academy Awards by initiating a star-driven campaign to get Andrea Riseborough a nomination for her role in To Leslie. The film had made next to nothing at the box office, but the grass-roots initiative worked and garnered the British actress an Oscars nod. Despite protests about the methodology of getting the awards buzz going for her performance, Andrea remained on the list of the year’s best actresses.

Deservedly she was nominated for her portrayal of a young single mother named Leslie who wins the lottery and then goes on to squander it all. As she spirals into alcoholism and self-loathing over the years, the unemployed woman eventually finds herself homeless and friendless. When she is desperate to get help after being evicted from her motel room, Leslie turns to her estranged son, James (Owen Teague), and family for help. Yet, even when they give her a second chance, she undermines their generosity and returns to alcohol as her release. Until she is given a gracious offer from a local motel owner who wants to assist her in turning her life around, the question is if she will take this last chance or squander it away too.

There is no questioning the nomination of Andrea Riseborough’s performance; the hope is that she gets more opportunities to show her skills. Her commitment to this role was noticeable on every level, from her physical appearance to the emotional toll it takes on the audience. Yet, within the wave of recognition for her acting, it should be said that she had outstanding support from the supporting cast. Allison Janney, Andre Royo, and Stephen Root continue to show how they can successfully back a strong lead character while proving their own skills. The best of the cast had to be Marc Maron in the role of the motel manager, Sweeney. He managed to command every scene he was given while backing Riseborough along the way.

Like many Academy Award-nominated roles from the past, Andrea Riseborough’s character is difficult to cheer or hope for throughout the film. Still, there are glimmers of mercy within the cautionary tale of addiction and selfishness. Interestingly, Leslie is the least likable person on screen throughout the film. Yet, this actress manages to give the audience someone sympathetic enough to make us all want her to rise above the disaster she has made of her life. These stories have been told before and will be time and again, but To Leslie is worth discovering if only to warn us all how far we can fall.

REEL DIALOGUE: Is there a limit on forgiveness?

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. - Colossians 3:13

Throughout To Leslie, we can see how the central character has burnt her bridges throughout her life. The dialogue between Allison Janney and Andrea Riseborough on the subject of forgiveness is one of the most powerful moments in the film. The whole screenplay shows how the need for forgiveness is an essential key to the healing process.

Two things to consider in this discussion are the limit of forgiveness and why we should forgive. Resentment only hurts the one that holds onto it. The Bible has much to say on this topic, which might be an excellent place to start when considering some of the concepts from this film. Also, at the core of the message of Christianity is the notion of forgiveness that can only come from God. If you are in a position where you need forgiveness or to forgive, the Bible is a beautiful resource on the subject.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32