Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Suicide drama urges understanding of postpartum depression.
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Why Age 15+?
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A Mouthful of Air
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In A MOUTHFUL OF AIR, Julie Davis (Amanda Seyfried) is a children's book author who's working on her next story while doting on her baby boy, Teddy. Her stories follow the theme of showing children how to be brave, but, privately, Julie is struggling to conquer her own fears and doubts.
Is It Any Good?
An exploration of the desperate sadness felt by an overhwelmed new mother makes for insightful drama, but this in no way a happy film. That said, it does provide some answers. Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation/actions are all on the rise these days, which can leave those who've been spared those challenges feeling baffled. Why would someone who "has it all" be suffering like this? Amy Koppelman, adapting and directing from her own same-named novel, offers viewers the ultimate conundrum: Why would a lucky new mom living a privileged life with a loving husband, a great career, and a happy, healthy baby want to take her own life? Koppelman allows viewers to see Julie's story up close, which encourages understanding, but audiences are still kept at a distance. Julie writes children's books and is living her "happily ever after." But when her doting husband, Ethan (Finn Wittrock) looks directly into her eyes, saying he wants to see her, she gets agitated. Julie harbors insecurities that if Ethan really saw her, truly knew who she was on the inside, he would be repulsed.
Koppelman knows this subject matter: She wrote the source novel after struggling with her own depression after the birth of her children in the 1990s, when postpartum depression (PPD) was more often unrecognized. While the novel earned praised for letting readers walk in the shoes of someone experiencing PPD, the film only allows viewers to look at Julie, not through her eyes. We see Julie becoming unable to make simple decisions or to relax about her child's safety, and we see her flat face and tone of voice when she's going through the motions of taking care of her baby instead of being plugged in. We hear Julie share her own explanations of feeling like she's destined to fail. But it's still third person; viewers are left not knowing what it's like to be Julie -- or what she really needs to recover. Audiences may walk away with the ability to recognize the signs of severe PPD, but without material recommendations of how to help someone else -- or yourself -- who's struggling with suicidal ideation and actions, the film falls short of its potential.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Mouthful of Air addresses the topic of death by suicide. How can people support someone who's experiencing suicidal ideation?
Talk about the signs of anxiety disorder and depression. When is it important to talk about mental health, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member? What resources are available to help both kids and adults?
Julie writes and illlustrates children's books about courage when she's unable to calm her own fears. Is this an example of irony? Why is courage an essential life skill? Given that Julie was dealing with a mental health issue impacted by hormones, is it realistic to expect bravery to be enough?
This movie is based on a novel. What do you think the challenges would be in adapting a novel into a movie? Do you think an author is best equipped to write and direct their own adaptation, or do you think an outside perspective is helpful?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 29, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : January 3, 2022
- Cast : Amanda Seyfried , Finn Wittrock , Paul Giamatti
- Director : Amy Koppelman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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