Following best friends Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), ‘Am I OK?’ explores the relationship between the life-long friends. As Lucy embarks on a journey of self discovery and Jane prepares for a career change, their relationship will face challenges that they may not be ready for.
On learning that Jane has been promoted at work and will have to move half-way across the world for her new job, Lucy is distraught. After a night of drinking she chooses to share with Jane thoughts she has had about her sexuality. Having known for some time that she is not attracted to men, the young woman fears having missed out on a lot by not realizing this earlier in life.
‘Am I OK?’ captures the sense of dread and confusion Johnson’s Lucy experiences as she opens up and explores the feelings she had been avoiding for the better part of her life. The film presents a deeply personal and intimate look at someone troubled by their own repressed emotions. Stemming from shame and indecision towards her own feelings, Lucy slowly starts to open up to Jane.
Supporting and encouraging Lucy along the way, best friend Jane faces her own challenges as she is asked to relocate to London to head a new division at her job. Excited and scared, the film presents the awkward feelings of pride, jealousy and panic that this announcement stirs up in both Jane and Lucy.
Fighting their own battles, the core of the story is the relationship between the two girls. Even though they are both going through life altering experiences, the narrative focuses on the joy and conflict caused by their individual changes.
Anchored by Johnson and Mizuno, the two share a sisterly bond and deliver the image of two best friends. With Lucy shown as an indecisive and quieted underachiever, she is balanced out by Jane’s forthright and determined character. One pulling along the other, Jane initially spearheads Lucy’s coming out, with divisive results. The film chooses to highlight that not everything in life can be planned for and scheduled, with Lucy eventually coming to therms with herself and allowing for things to unfold naturally.
Johnson’s flaky Lucy and Mizuno’s controlling Jane complement and support each other throughout until inevitably being torn apart by the difficulties they each face, feeling that one does not understand the personal aims and goals of the other. The schism caused by their differences drives the two apart, with a noticeable void caused immediately thereafter, as they both realize their unconditional support system has broken down, casing a strong and lasting impact on both.
Funny and insightful, the film unfolds in a largely humorous tone whilst maintaining a strong core message about acceptance and friendship. Delivering a barrel of laughs, the two main characters shine in the film as relatable and tangible individuals, with their own particular quirks, shortcomings and kinks.
Engaging, the film delivers a late-in-life coming out story that translates to anyone who is in their mid-30s and has faced difficulties about the path forward. Emphasizing the bond between friends, the film does not however rely solely on the support a friend can provide, maintaining that change is possible individually and can be achieved by oneself.
Score: 3/4
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