Immersive Chaos: Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” Premieres at Berlinale
Mary Bronstein’s latest directorial venture “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” made its debut at the 2025 Berlinale, presenting an intimate portrait of a woman pushed to her limits. The 113-minute feature stars Rose Byrne as Linda, a therapist and mother whose life begins to unravel when her ceiling literally crashes down on her, forcing her to navigate a series of escalating crises while temporarily relocated to a motel with her young daughter.
The film’s striking visual language, crafted by cinematographer Christopher MSA, creates an almost suffocating intimacy. Byrne appears in nearly 90% of the shots, with about 70% being close-ups, creating what Bronstein describes as “a type of claustrophobia so that the audience could be experiencing that type of feeling that Linda is feeling.” The camera’s proximity to Byrne is notable – not achieved through zoom lenses but through physical closeness with the film camera, adding to the visceral nature of the experience.
In an unexpected but inspired casting choice, Bronstein brought together an eclectic ensemble including A$AP Rocky and Conan O’Brien in supporting roles. “I wanted to have non-traditional actors for the supporting roles,” Bronstein explained during the press conference. “As a sign to the viewer that I am not playing into any expectations.” O’Brien, whom Bronstein has admired since her teenage years, approached the role with serious preparation, while A$AP Rocky brought what the director calls “a natural charisma that cannot be directed, cannot be taught.”
The film’s immersive quality is significantly enhanced by Nick Caramela’s masterful sound design, which works in concert with the intimate cinematography to pull viewers deeper into Linda’s increasingly chaotic world. The soundscape becomes an essential character in itself, adding layers to the visceral feeling of being present with Linda throughout her journey.
Despite the relatively modest budget and a tight 27-day shooting schedule, the film achieves remarkable depth, particularly through Byrne’s commanding performance. This was aided by an extensive two-month rehearsal period between Bronstein and Byrne, during which they met three to four times weekly to discuss not just the script but also their experiences as parents and life’s challenges.
“The script is so rich and full and dense,” Byrne noted at the press conference, emphasizing how the preparatory period was “crucial” to her understanding of Linda’s perspective. The result is a performance that never feels repetitive or dull, despite the camera’s relentless focus on her character.
© Rune Hellestad
The film masterfully balances its heavier themes with dark humor, following Linda as she juggles her daughter’s illness, a missing patient, and a parade of unhelpful individuals, all while trying to maintain her professional composure as a therapist. The irony of helping others through their comparatively minor struggles while her own life crumbles adds another layer to this complex narrative.
Bronstein’s direction succeeds in creating what she calls “an experiential way” of viewing, rather than allowing audiences to remain passive observers. “You’re in the movie, you’re feeling these feelings, and they’re uncomfortable,” she explains, highlighting her intention to make viewers active participants in Linda’s journey.
Shot in both colour and black and white, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” emerges as a unique addition to the Berlinale lineup, offering a claustrophobic yet compelling look at the overwhelming nature of modern life, parenthood, and the sometimes darkly comic futility of seeking help in a world that seems designed to withhold it.
Editor in Chief of Ikon London Magazine, journalist, film producer and founder of The DAFTA Film Awards (The DAFTAs).
