"I'm Your Woman": A very well-written and sometimes hilarious crime drama, anchored by a magnetic lead performance from Rachel Brosnahan

I'm Your Woman is a crime drama directed by Julia Hart and starring Rachel Brosnahan as Jean, a sheltered housewife who suddenly gets saddled with a baby brought home by her thief husband Eddie. When Eddie disappears, Jean is forced to go on the run with only the mysterious Cal to help her along. As the plot progresses, we see Jean caring for the baby, who she names Harry, as she attempts to hide effectively from various gangsters who want to force her to reveal where Eddie is, mistakenly believing that she knows Eddie's location.

The film is very enjoyable, with Rachel Brosnahan giving a great performance firmly anchoring the character of Jean and the film in every scene. Jean starts out a clueless and panicky wreck, barely knowing how to care for Harry, but over the course of the film, we see her become calmer and more self-assured as the reality of her situation sets in and she gradually understands Eddie's true nature from her newfound associates.

I also love how the film frames Jean's struggles in the larger context of events that the audience only really gets to hear about. The existence of a broader conflict at the periphery of the events Jean directly sees or participates in helps the world of the film feel larger and more complex, with many unseen figures acting in the background of the central narrative involving Jean and many happenings only referred to in conversation but never actually seen. It's a testament to Hart's direction and the performances of the cast, especially Brosnahan, that long dialogue scenes are made very engaging. Several revelations are gradually revealed piece-by-piece and even then this feels like a small glimpse into a greater conflict, from the interesting perspective of Jean and her closest allies as she navigates motherhood and mortal danger all at once. The film is also darkly hilarious at times, providing some levity from the constant threat of danger to Jean and baby Harry. Of course, cute baby Harry is also a bonus.

I'm Your Woman is a very interesting crime drama with a magnetic central performance from Rachel Brosnahan, rooted in steady character growth, and a gripping narrative filled with intrigue and hilarity.

Score: 9/10