Going against the convention of hope in a spiritually oriented retreat, Lucy (Jennifer Connelly) introduces us to the intense atmosphere that contradicts the purpose of a calming retreat in Alice Englert’s "Bad Behaviour." In an effort to immerse herself fully into the self-help sphere, Lucy attends this retreat, but her discomfort and frustration are evident, lending a bleak undertone to her experiences.
As the film progresses, it reveals the complex and complicated relationship between Lucy and her daughter, Dylan (Englert). Through Lucy's intense path to enlightenment parallel to Dylan's lighter, more carefree life as a stuntwoman in New Zealand, Englert presents a distinct story of personal growth and familial dynamics. However, Lucy's engrossing journey noticeably overshadows Dylan's narrative, which consequently becomes more of an accessory to the profound transformation of Lucy's character, evoking a ravishing performance from Connelly.
"Bad Behaviour" beautifully portrays Lucy's existential struggle against societal norms and expectations. Her interactions at the retreat highlight her role as an outsider, met with uninviting glances from her youthful counterparts. Her strenuous journey throws her into a whirlwind of emotions, expertly depicted by Connelly's commendable prowess in performance.
Interestingly, the film also presents the character of Beverly (Dasha Nekrasova), who embodies the hollow self-satisfaction by merely impressing the retreat's guru, Elon Bello (Ben Whishaw), and leads Lucy into a deeper spiral of internal collapse.
While the core plot revolves around the strained mother-daughter relationship, it struggles to fully connect the distinct narratives of these characters. Despite Lucy's character journey being focal, Dylan's character remains multi-dimensional, not adding much to the greater narrative. This inconsistency leads to a story that tends to lose its focus and misses critical reflections on the spiritual retreat's suduedly humorous elements.
Despite these narrative hiccups, Jennifer Connelly's phenomenal portrayal of a woman breaking free from societal restraints remains the highlight of the movie. Both fascinating and compelling, her performance undoubtedly deserves a narrative that's as rich and focused.
