My younger daughter and I saw Nicole Holofcenter's new film, Please Give, last night. I am an admirer of her films. They aren't perfect, but they wrestle subjects near and dear to women. They don't feel anything like any other films. This one is about guilt women feel, and how they displace their own anxieties and sadness by "helping others". It's coherent, and funny and an indictment on our consumer culture to boot. Previously, my favorite of her film's was Lovely and Amazing, but I think this one is better.
Holofcenter lets her actresses be real looking, and she elicits heartbreaking performances. Catherine Keener is amazing, as is Rebecca Hall, but all the actors are extraordinary. And it's fun to see Oliver Platt in a more complex role. Did I say the movie is very funny at moments? I laughed out loud a bunch of times, and my sympathy stayed steadfast for the characters as I was laughing, with them, not at them. The redoubtable Lois Smith has a small role, and I worship the ground she walks on.
A good film has resonance, and I believe this one is going to have me thinking about it for a long time. It's the kind of film I know I will buy. There is a feel of truth about it, and I find that rare in my movie going life.
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