This probably the
most conventionally structured of her films, recognizable as a not entirely
atypical romantic comedy. Eva meets Albert (James Gandolfini) at a party, and,
though she’s at first put off by the extra weight he’s carrying, quickly hits
it off with him. Both of them have daughters about to head off to college, but
where a lesser film might use that as a shorthand to let us know that these
characters belong together, Holofcener constructs a beautiful first date scene
that personalizes both characters and believably, and humorously, establishes the relationship.
When Albert tells her he’s divorced too, Eva asks if she could have his
ex-wife’s number. “Can you imagine the time that would save?”
It’s a joke, but
eventually, she begins to question herself, spurred on by one of her clients
(Holofcener regular Catherine Keener), a poet who has no kind words for her
ex-husband. Has she overlooked Albert’s flaws? Do bad relationships happen to flawed
people, or people who are simply wrong for each other? The last hour plays out these themes as well as the one about Eva’s impending empty nest, as her daughter’s school is across the country.
A coincidence,
leading to a small but important lie (a lie of omission), is at the center of
the story, and the explosion of this lie provides the big climax that you’ll
know is coming and that forms a similar resolution to other romantic comedies
in which lies and misunderstandings must be corrected. But, regardless of the high concept, Holefcenter’s ability to create specific characters and rich dialogue
remains her strength. The likeability of the two leads (in contrast to the television
characters they’re best known for) makes this perhaps the most easily
approachable of her films.
IMDb link
viewed 9/23/13 7:30 pm at Ritz 5 [PFS screening] and posted 9/27/13
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