Enough Said (B or 3/4 stars)
'Enough Said' (written/directed by Nicole Holofcener, Please Give) is a bittersweet movie - and not just because the plot has elements of bittersweet-ness. The film is also bittersweet because it offers us one of the last times we'll ever get to see James Gandolfini on the big or small screen; the actor passed away of a heart attack while vacationing in Italy a few months back. Gandolfini would be proud of the film. It's a good one. However, while I would call this a romantic dramedy, I'd say that the dramatic elements of the script work better than the hit-&-miss comedic elements.
This film tells a story about second chances in the lives of 2 people circa age 50. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Eva, a divorced masseuse who dreads her daughter's upcoming departure for college. Yep, Eva is facing the sad empty-nest syndrome. One night at a cocktail party, Eva meets warm-demeanored Albert (Gandolfini), a TV archivist who also has a daughter leaving for college. For his job, Albert catalogues old television shows from the 1950s-70s & oversees their being digitized onto discs. "If anyone under 50 ever wants to put down their cell phones & watch something original & brilliant ... I'm the guy to go to", he explains.
A romance btwn. these 2 bruised romantics seems possible but, during their very 1st date, they start picking apart each other's minor defects, exchanging wonderful dialogue that brought smiles, if not outright laughter to my lips. It's actually that dialogue that draws them close. They are witty, sarcastic, & wonderful. It's great watching them change & grow as they become more familiar with one another. But subsequent dates bring forth more information (and also, potential problems). He is quirky. She leads a more ordered life. He has an issue with her feet. She has a tendency of saying inappropriate things at the wrong time. He picks the chopped onions out of his guacamole. She has a thing for inspecting his teeth. Each have their irksome attributes; but they roll with it for now.
Eva's best friend, Sarah (Toni Collette), is encouraging, while her new massage client, Marianne (Catherine Keener), is so embittered by her own ex-husband that all she does is barrage Eva with venomous things to say, as well as putting down the institution of marriage. Soon enough, Eva finds herself doubting her own relationship with Albert as she learns the truth about Marianne's ex-husband. Romantic entanglements ensue.
Nicole Holofcener writes with an honesty, wit, & feeling that most films can't quite grasp. 'Enough Said' is a nuanced & intelligent romcom for adults to enjoy; the sort that Hollywood used to make before profanity & raunch became the standard. And it is excellent in the way it sensitively addresses Eva & Albert's impending empty nest syndrome when they must finally let go of their children. Every single scene btwn. Eva & her daughter rang true. These scenes are poignant. And I even cried during a departure scene at the airport. I also found it interesting that the screenplay presents the idea that 2 women can have differing impressions about 1 man; even if they both witness the same behaviors that he exhibits.
That said, the 'comedy' elements vary from mildly amusing (chuckles here & there) to completely missing the mark (I'm reminded of a scene involving the word: dyke). In trying to get laughs, Holofcener's script sometimes comes across as trying too hard. The humor should have evolved naturally. Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives off a real relatablility as Eva. Her facial expressions/reactions are as priceless as they were when she was on Seinfeld. That said, there is a slight self-centeredness about Eva that the actress tries to humanize; but it doesn't quite work. Speaking of self-centered, Toni Collette & Catherine Keener's roles comes across similarly unpleasant. I don't quite know what Holofcener was trying to say about them; because I'm pretty sure we're supposed to laugh with or empathize with them all.
James Gandolfini, meanwhile, is completely charming; and nothing like his role in The Sopranos. Albert pokes fun at his human frailties (his teddy bear-like tummy, his unhealthy diet). But his warm amiability & congenial smile masks a damaged soul underneath. Gandolfini gives a vulnerable & sympathetic portrayal of an imperfect man with insecurities who is scared to take a chance on love again. You know, I liked an awful lot in 'Enough Said'; certainly enough for a recommendation. There are beautiful insights about emotional intimacy, misguided decisions, love, how rare love is, & how hard it is to let go. I just wish some of the weaknesses (sitcom-like premise, some of the humor, coincidences) could have been ironed out. Enough Said's parts are stronger than its whole.
This film tells a story about second chances in the lives of 2 people circa age 50. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Eva, a divorced masseuse who dreads her daughter's upcoming departure for college. Yep, Eva is facing the sad empty-nest syndrome. One night at a cocktail party, Eva meets warm-demeanored Albert (Gandolfini), a TV archivist who also has a daughter leaving for college. For his job, Albert catalogues old television shows from the 1950s-70s & oversees their being digitized onto discs. "If anyone under 50 ever wants to put down their cell phones & watch something original & brilliant ... I'm the guy to go to", he explains.
A romance btwn. these 2 bruised romantics seems possible but, during their very 1st date, they start picking apart each other's minor defects, exchanging wonderful dialogue that brought smiles, if not outright laughter to my lips. It's actually that dialogue that draws them close. They are witty, sarcastic, & wonderful. It's great watching them change & grow as they become more familiar with one another. But subsequent dates bring forth more information (and also, potential problems). He is quirky. She leads a more ordered life. He has an issue with her feet. She has a tendency of saying inappropriate things at the wrong time. He picks the chopped onions out of his guacamole. She has a thing for inspecting his teeth. Each have their irksome attributes; but they roll with it for now.
Eva's best friend, Sarah (Toni Collette), is encouraging, while her new massage client, Marianne (Catherine Keener), is so embittered by her own ex-husband that all she does is barrage Eva with venomous things to say, as well as putting down the institution of marriage. Soon enough, Eva finds herself doubting her own relationship with Albert as she learns the truth about Marianne's ex-husband. Romantic entanglements ensue.
Nicole Holofcener writes with an honesty, wit, & feeling that most films can't quite grasp. 'Enough Said' is a nuanced & intelligent romcom for adults to enjoy; the sort that Hollywood used to make before profanity & raunch became the standard. And it is excellent in the way it sensitively addresses Eva & Albert's impending empty nest syndrome when they must finally let go of their children. Every single scene btwn. Eva & her daughter rang true. These scenes are poignant. And I even cried during a departure scene at the airport. I also found it interesting that the screenplay presents the idea that 2 women can have differing impressions about 1 man; even if they both witness the same behaviors that he exhibits.
That said, the 'comedy' elements vary from mildly amusing (chuckles here & there) to completely missing the mark (I'm reminded of a scene involving the word: dyke). In trying to get laughs, Holofcener's script sometimes comes across as trying too hard. The humor should have evolved naturally. Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives off a real relatablility as Eva. Her facial expressions/reactions are as priceless as they were when she was on Seinfeld. That said, there is a slight self-centeredness about Eva that the actress tries to humanize; but it doesn't quite work. Speaking of self-centered, Toni Collette & Catherine Keener's roles comes across similarly unpleasant. I don't quite know what Holofcener was trying to say about them; because I'm pretty sure we're supposed to laugh with or empathize with them all.
James Gandolfini, meanwhile, is completely charming; and nothing like his role in The Sopranos. Albert pokes fun at his human frailties (his teddy bear-like tummy, his unhealthy diet). But his warm amiability & congenial smile masks a damaged soul underneath. Gandolfini gives a vulnerable & sympathetic portrayal of an imperfect man with insecurities who is scared to take a chance on love again. You know, I liked an awful lot in 'Enough Said'; certainly enough for a recommendation. There are beautiful insights about emotional intimacy, misguided decisions, love, how rare love is, & how hard it is to let go. I just wish some of the weaknesses (sitcom-like premise, some of the humor, coincidences) could have been ironed out. Enough Said's parts are stronger than its whole.