A Mouthful of Air (film)

A Mouthful of Air is a 2021 American psychological drama film written, directed and produced by Amy Koppelman, based on her 2003 novel of the same name. It stars Amanda Seyfried, Finn Wittrock, Jennifer Carpenter, Michael Gaston, Amy Irving, and Paul Giamatti.

It was released on October 29, 2021 by Stage 6 Films.

Plot
On the eve of her baby son's first birthday, Julie Davis survives a suicide attempt. In the following weeks of her recovery, she tries to show gratitude for the positive things in life, but continues to suffer ongoing anxiety. Julie's discovery that she's pregnant for a second time forces her to face the traumas of her upbringing.

Cast

 * Amanda Seyfried as Julie Davis
 * Cate Elefante as young Julie Davis
 * Finn Wittrock as Ethan Davis
 * Amy Irving as Bobbi Davis
 * Jennifer Carpenter as Lucy
 * Paul Giamatti as Dr. Sylvester
 * Britt Robertson as Rachel Davis
 * Eliot Sumner as Doughnuts
 * Alysia Reiner as Pam
 * Michael Gaston as Ron
 * Josh Hamilton as Dr. Salzman

Production
In September 2019, it was announced Amanda Seyfried, Finn Wittrock, Amy Irving, Jennifer Carpenter, and Paul Giamatti had joined the cast of the film, with Amy Koppelman directing from a screenplay she wrote. Principal photography began in September 2019.

Release
In April 2021, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film. It was released on October 29, 2021.

Critical reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 68% of 31 critics have given the film a positive review, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "A Mouthful of Air isn't as emotionally impactful as it might have been, but Amanda Seyfried's devastating performance lends the story weight." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 52 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

David Ehrlich of IndieWire critiqued the film's use of melodrama, but praised Seyfried's performance, writing she "sidesteps histrionics in favor of something more honest and upsetting" and "leads every scene with such an excitable degree of fear and fragility". Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian was more critical, writing the film "needed less sensitive good taste and more explicit storytelling passion." Natalia Winkelman of The New York Times wrote "the movie’s portrait of depression often feels as facile as its opening image: Julie’s wide blue eyes with a single tear trailing down her cheek."

Box office
In North America, the film earned $130,701 from 816 theaters, the second lowest grossing opening weekend for a film in wide release (excluding re-releases) since box office tracking began.