Tammy's Always Dying

2019

1 hr. 25 min.

Drama

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List

76%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

A woman comes to a crossroad when her perpetually troubled mother becomes terminally ill.

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Critics Consensus

It occasionally struggles to deal effectively with its weighty themes, but Tammy's Always Dying is always anchored by Felicity Huffman's finely tuned performance.

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john s

LIGHT RAIL WRECK Whoa, has Felicity Huffman ever let herself go! With a mat of hair and raccoon mascara, Tammy boozes away her welfare check, then concludes her month binge with a wobbly climb to perch atop a precarious bridge, waiting for some form of salvation. Her daughter plays along with the routine, but this ain't no family love in. Catherine has her own issues, and her crazy mother may or may not be the root cause. Irregardless, they coexist, sparring and pushing buttons as only direct kin can. The dynamic may be old hat, but it is balanced with a good balance of guilt, compassion, fury and a sneaky bite of dark comedy. Tammy's abusive train wreck act is hard to stomach, making Catherine's willingness to play the snappy Saint a bit puzzling. But there they are, stuck in their perfectly orchestrated ruts. Huffman is particularly enjoyable as a totally despicable character, with just enough glimpses of joy and insight sprinkled amongst her destructive ways to offer some kind of hope. There's a human in there, somewhere. "Tammy's Always Dying" is filmed under the omnipresent grey skies of former steel town Hamilton, a rubbly city oh so close to the flashy big time (Toronto) that cleverly mirrors its occupants. Life is hard, and even though there's something on the horizon, it may be unreachable. The second act plays with that rainbow goal dynamic, but muddies the pace, only to have it saved by film's end. The complicated mother - daughter relationship is the heart of the movie, and its ultimate redemption. - hipCRANK

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

This movie delivers knockout performances and alot of heart. Director Amy Jo Johnson guides her stellar cast in a story that resonates with the joy, heartbreak and complexity of human relationships.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

The second feature film from actor-turned-director Amy Jo Johnson shows how well she's transition to directing. Getting wonderful performances from leads, Felicity Huffman and Anastasia Phillips, you'll join the ride in this mother-daughter story that will provide laughter and tears. Many familiar faces flesh out the secondary characters, including Kristian Bruun, who's always a joy to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

It is a movie that makes you think and appreciate what we have in life. This movie has many turns and many surprises that I really enjoyed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

This story provides a deep insight into the complexities of human relationships. It was memorable - and I still find myself thinking back to various scenes. The struggle of a young woman, her mother, a small town are both dark and hilarious. This honesty in how human being acts is refreshing and healing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Great performances by all of the actors. Direction and music are spot on. It's a hard look at poverty, cancer, relationships, and love. There are some genuine classic moments that you won't forget.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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Amy Jo Johnson

Director

Felicity Huffman

Tammy MacDonald

Anastasia Phillips

Catherine MacDonald

Clark Johnson

Doug

Lauren Holly

Ilana Wiseman

Kristian Bruun

Jamie

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Tammy's Always Dying: Trailer 1

2:08

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Kate Erbland

indieWire

The film has more success in smaller beats, when it's not hamstrung by over-the-top performances or obvious drama.

Rated: C+

May 4, 2020

Full Review

Michael Ordoña

Los Angeles Times

"Tammy's Always Dying" is a richly observed comedy-drama. Johnson's direction is intelligent and restrained. She trusts her actors, letting us see moments develop among them.

Apr 30, 2020

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

Huffman doesn't seem fully invested here - a slur and a tilt seem to be the totality of her acting choices, resulting in a caricature most followers of Canadian indie cinema have seen before.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 30, 2020

Full Review

Britany Murphy

The Reel Roundup

Tammy's Always Dying features brilliant direction by Amy Jo Johnson and great performances from Huffman and Phillips.

Feb 26, 2022

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Transcends poverty porn by presenting characters whose struggles feel real and fully realized.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 4, 2021

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Erin Free

FILMINK (Australia)

...a punchy, gritty experience that will poke and grab at your emotions in surprising and meaningful ways.

Rated: 17.5/20

May 19, 2020

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Synopsis

A woman comes to a crossroad when her perpetually troubled mother becomes terminally ill.

Director: Amy Jo Johnson
Executive Producer: Andrew Bell, Joannie Burstein, Felicity Huffman, Amy Jo Johnson
Screenwriter: Joanne Sarazen
Production Co: JA Productions, Eggplant Picture & Sound
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2020

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