The idea of “finding yourself” has a long history of being the purview of the young, generally those just entering adulthood. Moving from adolescence into the next phase of your life triggers some introspection. But sometimes, our upbringing or fears about what might be discovered if we dig too deep can cause us to avoid that self-searching until later in life.
That is the theme of the film “Am I OK?” from co-directors Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, airing June 6 on Max.
Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and her best friend, Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), have their very predictable roles. When Jane gets a promotion that will move her to a new country, she tries to push Lucy as well, encouraging her to take her friendship with Ben (Whitmer Thomas) to the next level. Lucy doesn’t understand her hesitance — until Jane talks about a time when she kissed a girl, and Lucy realizes how much she would like that. She begins to unpack her feelings with her co-worker Brittany (Kiersey Clemmons). As Lucy starts to find herself, will she lose the person who has been with her through the past?
“Am I OK?” is an entertaining movie that touches on some important themes. Discovering your orientation later in life can be jarring. Allynne had not dated women until she met Notaro, so the pair were able to direct this film from a place of understanding. That authenticity comes through the script from Lauren Pomerantz.
The performances are quite touching. Johnson brings humor to the role, but she also brings a lot of pathos as we see her struggle to find her footing with a whole new identity. Opposite her, Mizuno gives a powerful performance as a woman who knows exactly what she wants and how her life will turn out, until she finds that things are not as she expected. Notaro has a brief cameo that is one of the funniest bits of the movie, with her uniquely dry wit.
The story is definitely where this movie shines. Yes, it is about deciphering who you are as compared to who you thought you were, but even more, it is a film about friendship. While there are LGBTQ themes, the friendship between Lucy and Jane is always at the front of everything. Watching the two of them navigate the changes in their lives is what makes this film relatable to a broad audience.
“Am I OK?” is a funny and poignant film about self-discovery and coming out. More than that, it is a story about recognizing who you have always been and celebrating the friendships that have helped you know yourself better. Regardless of your orientation, knowing who you are is important to everyone, and it’s always worth celebrating.
Alise Chaffins is a Morgantown writer who loves movies and sharing her opinions. She reviews a movie from a streaming service every Saturday and one newly in theaters every Sunday. Find more at MacGuffin or Meaning on Substack.
