Tully Ending Explained, Tully Movie Review, Tully Movie Summary
by Subhashree M
Updated Mar 09, 2023
Tully Wiki
Tully is a comedy-drama movie released in 2018 and directed by Jason Reitman. It features a star-studded cast, including Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Ron Livingston, and Mark Duplass. The plot revolves around the relationship between a mother of three and her night nanny. This is the third collaboration between Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody, following their successful movies Juno (2007) and Young Adult (2011), the latter also featuring Theron. The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival before its official release in the United States by Focus Features on May 4, 2018. It received positive reviews from critics who praised the performances of Theron and Davis, and its portrayal of motherhood. Theron was also nominated for several awards for her performance in the film.
In May 2017, Focus Features acquired the rights to distribute the movie and initially set the release date for April 20, 2018, but later postponed it to May 4, 2018. Tully was then released for digital download on July 17, 2018, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on July 31. The movie grossed $9.3 million in the United States and Canada, and an additional $6.2 million in other territories, making a worldwide total of $15.6 million. During its opening weekend, Tully was released alongside two other movies, Overboard and Bad Samaritan, and was expected to gross between $3 to $4 million from 1,353 theaters. However, it only made $3.2 million, which was lower than Reitman's Labor Day ($5.1 million in 2014), and ranked sixth at the box office. Most of its audience (87%) were over the age of 25, and it made $2.2 million in its second weekend, slipping to eighth place. Deadline Hollywood stated that an ideal debut for the film would have been $6.5 million.
Tully Ending Explained
The movie Tully, directed by Jason Reitman, was released on May 4th, 2018. It portrays the story of Marlo, a mother of two, who is about to become a mother of three and is suffering from postpartum depression due to the pressure of managing her work and family life. As time goes on, her depression worsens as her workload increases. To alleviate the burden, she hires a night nanny recommended by her brother Craig, with whom she forms a deep bond. Tully, the nanny, reminds Marlo of her carefree past self, but their relationship causes some complications. In a surprising plot twist, the movie comes to an end with an unexpected conclusion.Following the accident, Marlo awakens in the hospital, where Tully comes to bid her farewell. Tully advises Marlo on the importance of finding balance in her life and letting go of the past, emphasizing her beautiful family and devoted husband. Tully reassures Marlo that she can handle things on her own, and her work is done. Meanwhile, outside the ward, Marlo's psychiatrist informs Drew that her accident resulted from severe exhaustion and sleep deprivation. While filling out insurance paperwork, Drew notices that Tully is Marlo's maiden name. He begins to piece together that Tully was not a real person but rather a character from Marlo's former self, created to cope with her stress and ease her pain. Drew realizes that it was likely Marlo's postpartum depression that resurfaced after the birth of their third child, Mia, which led her to create imaginary characters for her sanity.Inside the ward, Marlo accepts that Tully is simply a creation of her younger self's imagination. She acknowledges the need to release her tight grip on the past, assures Tully that she will manage on her own, and bids her a final farewell. Thus, Marlo moves on from her fabricated night nanny character, who may or may not have helped her stay mentally stable during her difficult times up until that point.
Tully Plot Explained
Marlo finds herself unexpectedly pregnant with her husband Drew, and they already have two children, Sarah and Jonah, who is struggling with an undiagnosed behavioral disorder. To help reduce Jonah's sensitivity to external stimuli, Marlo brushes his skin every night. Although Craig, Marlo's affluent brother, offers to pay for a night nanny as a baby gift, she declines the offer. Marlo experiences vivid dreams about an underwater mermaid, as well as her son's uncontrollable tantrums. After giving birth, Marlo becomes even more overwhelmed and exhausted than before. When the principal of Jonah's school suggests that he be transferred to a different school due to their inability to manage him, Marlo explodes in anger and storms out. Later, she retrieves the night nanny's phone number.On the first night, Tully, the night nanny, arrives at Marlo's home and quickly takes charge of the situation. They develop a strong bond over the next few nights, and Tully proves to be not only an excellent nanny but also a great friend. Tully's main role is to support and assist Marlo, and she even cleans the house and bakes cupcakes for Jonah's school. Marlo starts to reconnect with her family and herself, singing, cooking, and having fun with her children. One day, Marlo mentions to Tully that she and Drew haven't had sex in a while, and Tully helps Marlo to fulfill Drew's fantasy about diner waitresses by dressing up in a waitress uniform. One evening, Tully becomes upset after fighting with her roommate and suggests that they go to the city for drinks. Marlo reluctantly agrees, and they end up in Marlo's old neighborhood. At a bar, Tully suddenly announces that she can no longer work for Marlo and explains that she was only there to "bridge a gap." Marlo is angry and yells at Tully for not understanding the effects of aging. Later, Marlo's breast becomes engorged with milk, and Tully helps her express it in a bar bathroom. On their way home, Marlo falls asleep at the wheel and crashes into a river, but Tully appears as a mermaid and saves her.Marlo is rushed to the hospital, and a psychiatrist informs Drew that her extreme sleep deprivation and exhaustion caused the accident. Drew is surprised when he reveals that Marlo's maiden name is "Tully" and admits he knows little about the nanny. Flashbacks reveal Marlo experiencing events alone that she had previously shared with Tully. Tully visits Marlo in the hospital to bid her farewell, and they express gratitude to each other for helping through tough times before Tully leaves. Drew apologizes to Marlo for not understanding what she was going through, and they reaffirm their love for each other and their family.
Back at home, Marlo no longer brushes Jonah's skin at night, and they embrace. She goes to the kitchen to prepare the kids' lunches, and Drew joins her, helping to chop food while they listen to music together with one of Marlo's earbuds.
Tully Movie Review
Raising a child can be a difficult task, but when it comes to raising three children, including a newborn baby, the challenges become almost surreal. In their latest film "Tully," writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman capture this sensation perfectly. Unlike their previous films "Juno" and "Young Adult," "Tully" does not romanticize motherhood with comedic elements such as a mad dash to the hospital or over-the-top screams. Instead, the film offers a wry and wise exploration of uncomfortable truths. Cody's signature style of hyper-verbal snark, cynicism, and subtle poignancy is present, but with an added wistful perspective that comes from maturity and experience.Cody's characters have matured as she has; "Tully" was written after the birth of her third child, and the deeply personal nature of the story is evident from the start. It's both intimately detailed and narratively ambitious, and its emotional impact creeps up on you, subtle yet well-deserved. With Charlize Theron once again at the center, "Tully" gains much of its power. As she did in "Young Adult," Theron fearlessly embraces an unlikable, messy character, delving into the depths of the female psyche and suburban life. Her every moment on screen is charged with raw, honest humor and brutality.
Before we even lay eyes on her, we catch a glimpse of Theron's Marlo's pregnant belly. She's approaching her due date with her unplanned third child at the age of 40, and she's ready to burst. Marlo is already the mother of an 8-year-old daughter named Sarah (Lia Frankland), who is sweet but insecure, and a 6-year-old son named Jonah (Asher Miles Fallica), who is somewhere on the autism spectrum and is at risk of being expelled from kindergarten. While her well-meaning husband, Drew (a fittingly understated Ron Livingston), is often away on business and doesn't really understand the daily operations required to keep the household functioning. The arrival of their baby, Mia, obliterates whatever delicate balance they had achieved. Marlo's expression following the delivery is not one of euphoria or even exhausted pride, but of detached anxiety. She knows change is imminent, and although she knows she needs to handle it, she is not quite prepared.
Tully Movie Summary
Tully, played by Mackenzie Davis, is introduced to Marlo as a night nurse by her wealthy and smug brother (Mark Duplass). At first, Marlo feels insulted by the suggestion that she needs help with her children, but she eventually gives in due to sleep deprivation. The movie "Tully" effectively portrays the isolating nature of taking care of a newborn at home, where the cycle of feeding, crying, and diaper changing never seems to end. Marlo has two other children who also require her attention, and she realizes that she could use some assistance. Tully, who is only 26 and perky and fit, is a refreshing presence. She possesses an immense amount of wisdom and has advice for every situation. She is also a free spirit who is down-to-earth, plucky, and quirky. Tully tidies up the house while Marlo sleeps and even makes cupcakes for Jonah's class.Initially, Tully appears to be a nanny pixie dream girl. However, Cody’s characters are far more complex than their superficial facades suggest, and that is especially true for Tully. Theron and Davis have tremendous chemistry from the beginning, which only deepens as they get to know each other. Tully reminds Marlo of her younger self when she lived a boho chic life in a Brooklyn loft. Tully tries to enlighten Marlo about the woman she has become years later, not just a wife and mom but a great mom. The film's ultimate message is the importance of self-care, especially when everyone relies on you to take care of them. Additionally, just because you've created a person doesn't mean you have to abandon the person you used to be. Spending more time with these fascinatingly flawed, deeply human characters would be enjoyable, as the sense of possibility within changes is exciting. Despite the potential for sounding trite or New Agey, the message is worthwhile.
Tully Movie Twist Explained
Tully, the latest movie from the writing and directing duo Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman, who previously collaborated on Juno, promises a sharp, witty take on modern parenting in its trailers. Charlize Theron stars as a frustrated mother of three who struggles to care for her newborn baby and young children until the arrival of a Mary Poppins-like night nanny, Tully, played by Mackenzie Davis. However, the marketing campaign is somewhat misleading, as the film relies heavily on a significant third-act twist that reconfigures its meaning and makes it difficult to describe without revealing too much or creating certain expectations for viewers. Critics may also face challenges in evaluating the movie without delving into the specifics of its ending.Typically, these types of questions are associated with genre filmmakers such as M. Night Shyamalan. However, they're a new experience for Reitman, who specializes in creating modestly scaled character studies like Young Adult (which was also written by Cody and starred Theron as a self-destructive YA author) and Up in the Air (which starred George Clooney as a jet-setting businessman). Though both films have surprising plot twists that occur in the third act, they don't have the kind of reversal seen in Tully, which is more akin to Fight Club. Tully's twist is that the title character, who is recommended to Marlo by her wealthy brother Craig (Mark Duplass), is actually a younger version of herself, and is not a real person.
The twist is kept hidden from the viewer for the majority of the film, as we witness the relationship between Marlo and Tully develop into a close friendship. Along with providing much-needed assistance with childcare and household chores, the kind-hearted and enigmatic Tully becomes Marlo's confidant. Marlo speaks candidly with Tully about her anxieties, passions, and disappointments during late-night hangout sessions. They discuss Marlo's relationship with her body, her fascination with the Showtime reality show Gigolos, and her lack of a sex life with her gamer husband Drew (Ron Livingston). They explore a wide range of topics without limitations.In the movie, the major plot twist happens when Marlo and Tully go on a night out to Brooklyn, leaving their suburban life behind. After a disagreement, they drive back home while intoxicated and end up in a car accident, with Marlo being the only one in the car after the crash. In a surreal moment, Tully appears as a mermaid and rescues Marlo. The movie then reveals that Tully is actually Marlo's maiden name, and Marlo is suffering from a lack of sleep and mental health issues. The movie is not solely about a magical caregiver but is a representation of Marlo's inner self and how she perceives her younger self.
Tully Movie Analysis
Tully (2018) portrays the struggles of Marlo, a mother of three who is facing the challenges of motherhood. She is overwhelmed and exhausted from taking care of her children by herself. The movie's message is relatable to any family that has gone through the daily struggles of parenthood and the major lifestyle changes that come with having a child. Marlo is already a mother of two and is about to give birth to her third child. Despite her youngest son's challenging behavior, she remains patient and tries to control her emotions. She understands that parenting is a tough job that requires hard work and compromise. During a dinner with her wealthy brother's family, Marlo's situation is contrasted with that of her sister-in-law who has many children but seems to have everything under control. Marlo's brother offers her a night nanny to help with the baby, but she refuses, feeling that she should take care of her child herself. However, Marlo may also be ashamed to admit that she needs help.Marlo's life takes a dramatic turn after the birth of her third daughter, with constant crying at night and fights between her older children. Her husband helps out with their homework but also takes time for himself with business trips and video games. Marlo also faces challenges with her son's behavior at school, leading to a request for him to be transferred to individual education. Despite her efforts to balance her children's needs, Marlo's exhaustion begins to wear on her and she considers hiring a night nanny for assistance.
Tully Movie Explained
The movie Tully keeps its meaning and conclusion hidden until the very end, with the mother of many children's maiden name providing the final piece of the puzzle. Marlo struggled to cope with her exhaustion and it was revealed that she had been talking to her younger self at night. A version of herself that was once full of life and moving forward. As the years went on, Marlo's life changed, and while she had a loving husband and wonderful children, she lost herself in the process of caring for them. She devoted herself entirely to her loved ones, neglecting her own needs. It wasn't until a tragic incident that her husband realized he had placed too much on her shoulders. Should Marlo have spoken up about her exhaustion sooner, or was this the only way to get her message across?
With the arrival of a child, whether it's the first or the fifth, a mother's schedule becomes a never-ending cycle. There are no days off or holidays, and she requires help, support, and understanding, perhaps even more than anyone else.
Tully Ending Explained - FAQs
The movie centers around Marlo, a mother of three, including a recently born baby. Marlo initially feels uncertain about her brother's gift of a night nanny, considering it excessive. However, Marlo eventually develops a special connection with Tully, the considerate, unpredictable, and occasionally demanding young nanny.
The twist ending of Tully reveals that the character of Tully is actually a figment of Marlo's imagination. Tully is a younger, carefree version of Marlo that she created in her mind as a coping mechanism to deal with the stresses of motherhood.
Marlo created the character of Tully to escape her current reality and cope with her exhaustion and feelings of being overwhelmed as a mother of three. Tully represents the carefree, younger version of Marlo that she wishes she could be again.
The message of Tully's ending is that motherhood is a difficult and often overwhelming experience, but it is important to prioritize self-care and seek help when needed. It also emphasizes the importance of mental health and the dangers of neglecting one's own needs.
The ending of Tully portrays the realities of motherhood and how it can take a toll on a person's mental and emotional well-being. It highlights the importance of seeking help and support when needed, and the dangers of neglecting one's own needs in order to care for others.