FYC Brunch: ‘Causeway’ is Jennifer Lawrence’s ‘most intimate’ film

When it premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, Causeway garnered widespread attention for helping restart Jennifer Lawrence’s acting career. By her own account, the actress felt trapped by the big franchise roles that made her a superstar at such a young age. She was looking for a second act informed by smaller, more character-driven films like Causeway, which she was also developing through her production company Excellent Cadaver.

But the impact Causeway had on Lawrence’s career arc is only a small part of the film’s impact. The film tells the story of an Army Corps engineer who suffers a brain injury while serving in Afghanistan and was hailed by critics as one of the best films about traumatized veterans adjusting to civilian life in recent memory.

At IndieWire’s Consider This Brunch, Causeway Director Lila Neugebauer, Producer Justine Ciarrocchi, Composer Alex Somers and Production Designer Jack Fisk participated in a panel moderated by IndieWire’s Marcus Jones.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Jen do anything so intimate,” said Ciarrocchi, who worked as Lawrence’s assistant early in her career. “I’m sure most people who have seen the film know that Brian is a revelation. They upped each other’s game; They were connected as people. I think it was quite a unique experience for Jen to have him as a scene partner. They came together during the pandemic when we were closed several times to discuss their characters and how they could improve their characters.”

A lived texture is something legendary production designer Jack Fisk was able to bring to the film. Fisk, the go-to production designer for David Lynch and Terrence Malick, apparently even used his magic to turn a New Orleans landfill into an army base for Causeway.

Director Lila Neugebauer said: “I haven’t seen Jack in about three years. He taught me everything I know. He turned a New Orleans landfill into a military base. I remember him saying, ‘There’s the film on the page, the film of the shooting and the film that you’re editing.'”

Lawrence’s character escaped her strained family life and toxic relationship with her mother by enlisting in the army. “The fact that you would go to war to get away from your home is just shocking – and then go back.”

Causeway is directed by Lila Neugebauer and written by Ottessa Moshfegh, Luke Goebel and Elizabeth Sanders. The film stars are Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond, Danny Wolohan and Jayne Houdyshell.

Registration: Stay up to date on the latest movie and TV news! Sign up for our email newsletter here.