Film Review: ADOPTING AUDREY (2021): Jena Malone Delivers a Great Performance in a Movie in Search of a Plot

Adopting Audrey Review

Adopting Audrey (2021) Film Review, a movie written and directed by M. Cahill and starring Jena Malone, Robert Hunger-Buhler, Emily Kuroda, Will Rogers, Brooke Bloom, Lawrence Inglee, Malachi Nimmons, Dante Pereira-Olson, Marsha Dietlein, Tom Creel, Davis Hall, Randy Ramos Jr. and Stephanie Marrinan.

Jena Malone is a really fine actress and her performance in the new comedy, Adopting Audrey is a testament to her versatility following her amazing performance in last year’s gem, Lorelei. What Adopting Audrey lacks in plot development, it makes up for in character development.

In the new picture, Malone portrays Audrey in a story line that centers on the problems of the troubled young woman she plays. When we first meet her, she’s a bill collector who can barely even pay her own bills and she is trying to convince others to pay their bills. That gig isn’t going to last too long. Her kind landlord Warren (Lawrence Iglee) tells her he hears her fooling around in her apartment but that’s OK because Audrey’s boyfriend, Sid (Malachi Nimmons) has just bailed on her. One problem remains, though: Audrey can’t pay her rent.

I love the initial premise of this movie which is that adults who can’t fend for themselves or who need others in their lives, could actually be adopted. I didn’t research it too much, but I believe there is some truth to the premise this movie dramatizes. Audrey cannot take care of herself, and her parents aren’t much of a help to be certain. They hardly care about her. It’s not her fault, but a woman her age is expected to fend for herself in the society in which we live. There are some sad truths in the story this movie tells the audience.

Audrey seeks to be adopted in order to change her luck around in life for the better. What she gets is an eccentric, dysfunctional but somewhat loving new family headed by an older gentleman known as Otto (Robert Hunger-Buhler). Otto’s wife, Sunny (Emily Kuroda) met him online and it’s only appropriate they take in Audrey who they meet online in her search for a family of her own.

Will Rogers plays John, a somewhat crude guy who inappropriately hits on Audrey in one of the film’s more distasteful moments. This is an awkward movie for a lot of the film’s running time. Awkward can be good when it’s done right but, unfortunately, the movie comes across as just plain offbeat for much of the duration of the film’s running time. A major plot development involves Audrey slicing off her finger and it’s all uncomfortable to watch. That doesn’t mean it’s not realistic but who wants to pay to see these misfit people (Audrey, not included) when you can get a dose of them in real life simply by observing your neighbors?

With that being said, Malone shines beyond a reasonable doubt as Audrey. She knows she can’t handle the pressures of life. She demands Warren send her or bring to her in person her security deposit which is owed her from when she left her apartment to go live with Otto and company. There is so much depth to the character of Audrey and the film presents interesting and real truths about the inability for people to support themselves in America today.

Adopting Audrey throws away its potential to be a better film. Writer/director M. Cahill has all the ingredients for a winner here but doesn’t mix the elements of the film to the appropriate level to make the film work. We’re left with scenes that include a barbecue where Otto demands the steaks be more well done than they are coming off the grill as. These scenes don’t really advance the plot. They may be funny to some but come across as time filler.

Malone shaped her character here into a plausible woman in need of a true home. The most heartbreaking revelation of Adopting Audrey is that this family she finds may not suit her and due to the movie’s sudden ending, we’re not sure what will become of her. Malone deserved more than having her character’s fate left open to audience interpretation.

Adopting Audrey is an interesting film that ultimately sells itself (and its main character) a bit short. Jena Malone is a phenomenal actress, though, and may just make you want to check this movie out just to see her at the top of her game. I’d follow her anywhere, but the film doesn’t let me follow her any further than it wants to and doesn’t let the audience say goodbye properly to Audrey either. You’ll want to give Audrey a big hug at the end of the movie, but you won’t know where she’s going to be cinematically to deliver that virtual hug. I wanted and needed more to wholeheartedly recommend this film.

Rating: 6/10

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