We've seen this scenario in a thousand action movies. When the hero realizes his wife and child are in danger, he makes a frantic phone call and hides them somewhere safe until the heat cools down. That's exactly what happens in I'm Your Woman, except the story follows the wife, not the husband. It's a slow burn with a few violent set pieces: tense, effective, and ultimately satisfying.

Rachel Brosnahan stars as Jean, a housewife with a knack for avoiding difficult questions. Her husband Eddie is a career criminal who tries to keep the messier parts of his life hidden from her. We get a hint that something's not right about him in the first scene, when he brings home a baby without explaining where he got him. Jean bemusedly takes it in stride. That attitude seems to be a common theme in their marriage.

Their lives take a turn after Eddie gets into trouble that everyone is hesitant to explain to Jean. Now Eddie's missing and Jean is on the run, assisted by Eddie's ex-partner Cal (Arinzé Kene). Jean struggles to figure out what happened to Eddie, how much danger she's in, and how to get out of it.

Jean spends a lot of time in isolation. A whole lot. After a confrontation with a pair of gunmen who track her down, Cal takes her to a remote farm. She's joined by Cal's wife Teri, their son, and Cal's father, all of whom have a better idea of the danger they're facing than Jean does.

Eventually Jean decides to take a more proactive role and goes on a search for Eddie. Teri, played with aplomb by Marsha Stephanie Blake, serves as Jean's reluctant tour guide through Eddie's world. They quickly find themselves at the center of a gang war. The action goes into high gear in the last third of the film. There's a gunfight in a nightclub, a car chase, and a climactic showdown with Eddie's enemies.

Brosnahan superbly portrays Jean's frustration and helplessness. She's a woman forced to deal with turmoil she barely understands. She's not naive, but this is the first time she's come into direct contact with the grim reality of her husband's business.

The pace is occasionally glacial, but the payoffs are worth it. Director Julia Hart captures a slick 70's vibe without getting too kitschy. Good rapport between Brosnahan, Kene, and Blake. Brosnahan makes a nice transition from timid housewife to badass by necessity. The baby cries a little too much.

8 out of 10.

Seen on Amazon Prime.