A Mouthful of Air

A young mother attempts suicide shortly after the birth of her first child, and her recovery is affected by an unexpected second pregnancy in this domestic drama. Postpartum depression is a difficult subject matter to tackle, yet there is real empathy to this film from writer/director Amy Koppelman. In adapting her own 2003 novel, Koppelman reflects upon her past mental health challenges, with Amanda Seyfried giving a subtle yet affecting performance as her stricken, volatile protagonist. Unfortunately, Koppelman shows a fuzzy grasp of certain plot details and decided caution in upping the dramatic ante. A few wobbles notwithstanding, though, we're still presented with a responsible yet troubling cautionary tale about the insidious nature of depression, which opens with a warning caption that the film could prove difficult viewing for those still struggling with the condition.