Lou movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Lou

This action drama movie was released on Netflix on September 23, 2022.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 47 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

A massive storm rages. A young girl is kidnapped. Her mother, with no other option, teams up with the mysterious older woman next door to pursue the kidnapper on a journey into the wilderness that will test their limits and expose dark and shocking secrets from their pasts.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve been a huge fan of Academy-award-winner Allison Janney since her West Wing days. She is actually one of only 15 actresses to win a Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTA! All of her accolades are well deserved. Her delicious and Oscar-winning performance was for her role in I, Tonya in 2017. Needless to say, she’s fantastic in this movie too. I’ve never seen her action moves like this before! I could watch her all day long. No, this movie isn’t the greatest ever made, but it sure is fun to watch Allison Janney kick bad-guy butt.
Jurnee Smollett does a great job too as a frantic, determined mother.
We slowly learn the dark secrets of the characters to keep us searching for answers. The interesting reveal adds depth to the story.
Was all of that rain real or fabricated? Either way, it looked legit.
Fantastic cinematography by Michael McDonough. The Pacific Northwest and Orcas Island are featured.
A fun soundtrack and lots of humor to balance the vicious action sequences.
Women, use your elbows!
I was surprised to learn that the legendary J. J. Abrams was one of the producers of this because it didn’t quite fit his style, although he does love plot twists done slowly.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The ending is completely unbelievable. If there is a sequel, they’ve got some explaining to do! Because I adore Allison Janney though, I wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel. They’ll just need to clean up their taste for plot holes.
Allison Janney’s character is ridiculously hardened, especially after we learn the plot twist. She and Liam Neeson would make an intense married couple in a movie. ha ha
Some of the action sequences are also unbelievable, considering we’re supposed to believe she has terrible arthritis and other aging ailments.
Some of the CGI moments are very noticeable.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Profanity, including lots of F-bombs. A little girl swears many times. I hate that.
Brutal, bloody, gory violence
A child is in dangerous situations
Talk of death
We see dead, bloodied deer and men

THEMES:

The Iran hostage crisis of the 80s
Persian Gulf crisis
War crimes
Spouse abuse
Dysfunctional families
CIA
Second chances
Sacrifice
Duty
Truth

FUNNY LINES:

“How did you know it was going to blow up?” – Hannah (Jurnee Smollett) “Bombs tend to.” Lou (Allison Janney)

“How do you know all of this?” Hannah (Jurnee Smollett) “Girl Scouts.” – Lou (Allison Janney)

“You know, I was in the Girl Scouts too. Got my archery badge, pen pal, first aid. There wasn’t one for hand-to-hand combat or murder with household objects.” – Hannah (Jurnee Smollett) “Really? Must’ve just been my troop, then.” – Lou (Allison Janney)