A Mouthful of Air (2021) is a psychological drama directed by Amy Koppelman, based on her own 2003 novel of the same name. The film explores the struggles of Julie Davis (played by Amanda Seyfried), a woman grappling with postpartum depression following the birth of her child. It delves deeply into mental illness, particularly the challenges of living with depression and the impact it has on relationships and self-perception. The film is an intense, emotional journey that showcases the complexities of motherhood, mental health, and emotional isolation.

The story centers around Julie Davis, a successful children’s book author who has just given birth to her second child. At first glance, Julie appears to be living a perfect life with a loving husband, a beautiful home, and a growing family. However, beneath the surface, she is battling severe postpartum depression, a condition that severely impacts her ability to bond with her baby and find joy in her life. Julie’s depression is not just about feeling sad, but a deep, suffocating darkness that leads her to contemplate suicide.

Julie’s internal turmoil is compounded by the pressures of being a mother and a wife, as well as the expectations placed on her by society. As the story unfolds, Julie tries to navigate her way through her depression, but she finds herself increasingly isolated from the people around her. Her struggles are made worse by the lack of understanding from those closest to her, as they fail to grasp the depth of her suffering.

Throughout the film, Julie tries various ways to manage her illness, from therapy and medication to attempting to keep up appearances. However, the film ultimately shows how the emotional weight of depression is not something that can be easily fixed. Paul Giamatti plays Julie’s husband, Ethan, a loving but increasingly helpless partner who doesn’t know how to help her through her breakdown.

As the narrative unfolds, Julie’s journey becomes both about surviving her own mental health battles and reconnecting with her inner strength. Her story is one of hope, despair, and the ongoing effort to find a way to live with and beyond mental illness.