Hey, Streamers! Are you tired of all these action blockbusters and Disney remakes coming to theaters this summer?
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Oh, you hadn't thought about it? Well, think about it now!
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So...?
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Whatever! Look, there are other offerings in theaters right now that might pique your interest. For instance, I went to see a nice movie starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus called You Hurt My Feelings. This dramedy is written and directed by indie auteur Nicole Holofcener and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Here's how it went.
You Hurt My Feelings is about the little white lies we tell our loved ones just to spare their feelings and the fallout to when they discover the lie. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Beth, a creative writing professor, who is preparing to publish her debut novel after the relative success of her memoir. Beth is married to Don (Tobias Menzies), who is a disillusioned and bored therapist. Beth and Don have a symbiotic relationship and a really healthy and stable marriage until Beth finds out that Don has been lying to her about his opinion on her new book. Neurotic hijinks ensue.
First, the acting is very good. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a master at this kind of comedy. She is a great comedic actress and she brings both humor and heart to the role of Beth. She becomes neurotic but never annoying. She has great chemistry with Menzies. They are able to portray this warm and loving couple. Their pairing feels really easy and cozy, and it shows why what happens is destabilizing for Beth. The rest of the ensemble is really good as well, especially Michaela Watkins as Beth's sister and Amber Tamblyn and David Cross as Don's therapy patients. No notes on the acting.
Second, the writing is really excellent. The idea is very intimate, specific and contained, but it could happen to any of us. In fact, it definitely has happened to all us. Moreover, Holofcener's dialogue is clever and funny. The arguments that the characters have throughout the movie are intriguing. It really makes you reflect on you own relationships. Pair this great writing with strong acting and you have a deeply affecting movie.
Now, the question is do you have to see this movie on the big screen? In the moral sense, it would be great if an intimate movie like this got some box office success. It is rare that a small dramedy about adults with specific issues without any explosions or superheroes gets any traction in the theaters. On the other hand, there is no scale to this movie that demands a big screen. In fact, this movie would be a great discussion piece with a group of friends after a night watching it at home.
Ultimately, You Hurt My Feelings is a funny and emotional film. It has a great central idea and strong characters to carry it through. Louis-Dreyfus is stellar as always, but she has a great script that helps her shine along with the equally great acting ensemble. I can't say this is a must see on a big screen, so I'll give it a handful of popcorn for the theaters; but, absolutely, gather your friends at home and stream this the first chance your get with a big box of popcorn.
...
Oh, you hadn't thought about it? Well, think about it now!
...
So...?
...
Whatever! Look, there are other offerings in theaters right now that might pique your interest. For instance, I went to see a nice movie starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus called You Hurt My Feelings. This dramedy is written and directed by indie auteur Nicole Holofcener and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Here's how it went.
You Hurt My Feelings is about the little white lies we tell our loved ones just to spare their feelings and the fallout to when they discover the lie. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Beth, a creative writing professor, who is preparing to publish her debut novel after the relative success of her memoir. Beth is married to Don (Tobias Menzies), who is a disillusioned and bored therapist. Beth and Don have a symbiotic relationship and a really healthy and stable marriage until Beth finds out that Don has been lying to her about his opinion on her new book. Neurotic hijinks ensue.
First, the acting is very good. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a master at this kind of comedy. She is a great comedic actress and she brings both humor and heart to the role of Beth. She becomes neurotic but never annoying. She has great chemistry with Menzies. They are able to portray this warm and loving couple. Their pairing feels really easy and cozy, and it shows why what happens is destabilizing for Beth. The rest of the ensemble is really good as well, especially Michaela Watkins as Beth's sister and Amber Tamblyn and David Cross as Don's therapy patients. No notes on the acting.
Second, the writing is really excellent. The idea is very intimate, specific and contained, but it could happen to any of us. In fact, it definitely has happened to all us. Moreover, Holofcener's dialogue is clever and funny. The arguments that the characters have throughout the movie are intriguing. It really makes you reflect on you own relationships. Pair this great writing with strong acting and you have a deeply affecting movie.
Now, the question is do you have to see this movie on the big screen? In the moral sense, it would be great if an intimate movie like this got some box office success. It is rare that a small dramedy about adults with specific issues without any explosions or superheroes gets any traction in the theaters. On the other hand, there is no scale to this movie that demands a big screen. In fact, this movie would be a great discussion piece with a group of friends after a night watching it at home.
Ultimately, You Hurt My Feelings is a funny and emotional film. It has a great central idea and strong characters to carry it through. Louis-Dreyfus is stellar as always, but she has a great script that helps her shine along with the equally great acting ensemble. I can't say this is a must see on a big screen, so I'll give it a handful of popcorn for the theaters; but, absolutely, gather your friends at home and stream this the first chance your get with a big box of popcorn.