June 20, 2010
This witty comedy is a breath of fresh air after other recent female-centric films such as Sex and the City 2. Director Nicole Holofcener’s understanding of modern women has, in fact, seen her directing television programmes (including Sex and the City), but her fourth feature film, Please Give, is a cut above the rest.
The film focuses on Kate, excellently portrayed by Catherine Keener, and Alex (Oliver Platt), a couple living in New York with their teenage daughter Abby (Sarah Steele). They own and run a lucrative furniture business, buying pieces from the apartments of the recently deceased to sell on at extortionate prices.
The couple has also purchased the neighbouring apartment, owned by ill-tempered 90-year-old Andra (Ann Guilbert), with the intention of extending their own place once their neighbour passes away. This allows for the inclusion of Andra’s two granddaughters, quiet radiologist Rebecca, well played by Rebecca Hall, and her elder sister, boisterous cosmetologist Mary (Amanda Peet). Holofcener uses these two characters to explore the relationship between siblings, and in particular sisters.
Indeed, the entire film can be viewed as an exploration of relationships - from Kate and Alex’s partnership in parenting, business and life, to Alex’s lust for Mary, to Rebecca’s blossoming romance with sweet (but short) Eugene. It is a study of basic human emotions – guilt, love, shame, desire – and none is more striking than Kate’s pervasive sense of guilt. She feels guilty not only about exploiting those who do not know the value of the furniture they are selling, but also more generally about being wealthy when poverty and homelessness surround her.
Kate’s futile attempts at ‘giving back’ result in both comical and touching scenes. On leaving a restaurant, for example, she tries to give money to a black man standing outside, only to discover that he too has a reservation at the restaurant. And the scene in which she attends a sports session at a volunteer organisation that leaves her weeping is deeply moving.
Some may criticize the lack of plot in Please Give, but it serves only to highlight the excellent characterisation. All of the characters are fully developed and interesting to watch and it is easy to find yourself empathising in some way with every single one. Hall and Peet, as different as their characters are, are both compelling to watch, and Keener once again proves a fine choice. All in all, an intelligent film, with the right mix of humour and pathos, that should see Holofcener gain acclaim outside her cult fanbase.
The film focuses on Kate, excellently portrayed by Catherine Keener, and Alex (Oliver Platt), a couple living in New York with their teenage daughter Abby (Sarah Steele). They own and run a lucrative furniture business, buying pieces from the apartments of the recently deceased to sell on at extortionate prices.
The couple has also purchased the neighbouring apartment, owned by ill-tempered 90-year-old Andra (Ann Guilbert), with the intention of extending their own place once their neighbour passes away. This allows for the inclusion of Andra’s two granddaughters, quiet radiologist Rebecca, well played by Rebecca Hall, and her elder sister, boisterous cosmetologist Mary (Amanda Peet). Holofcener uses these two characters to explore the relationship between siblings, and in particular sisters.
Indeed, the entire film can be viewed as an exploration of relationships - from Kate and Alex’s partnership in parenting, business and life, to Alex’s lust for Mary, to Rebecca’s blossoming romance with sweet (but short) Eugene. It is a study of basic human emotions – guilt, love, shame, desire – and none is more striking than Kate’s pervasive sense of guilt. She feels guilty not only about exploiting those who do not know the value of the furniture they are selling, but also more generally about being wealthy when poverty and homelessness surround her.
Kate’s futile attempts at ‘giving back’ result in both comical and touching scenes. On leaving a restaurant, for example, she tries to give money to a black man standing outside, only to discover that he too has a reservation at the restaurant. And the scene in which she attends a sports session at a volunteer organisation that leaves her weeping is deeply moving.
Some may criticize the lack of plot in Please Give, but it serves only to highlight the excellent characterisation. All of the characters are fully developed and interesting to watch and it is easy to find yourself empathising in some way with every single one. Hall and Peet, as different as their characters are, are both compelling to watch, and Keener once again proves a fine choice. All in all, an intelligent film, with the right mix of humour and pathos, that should see Holofcener gain acclaim outside her cult fanbase.