The ratio of caustic, neurotic urbanite whiners to normal people with whom I could actually see myself engaging in conversation without wanting to strangle them is uncharacteristically low in Nicole Holofcener's latest, which is probably why I enjoyed this film much more than some of her previous ones.
"Please Give" suggests that frequently those most in need of our generosity are those who are closest to us. That theme is most vividly illustrated in the character played by Catherine Keener, a poster child for affluent white liberal guilt, who wants to help others in need but feels far too badly for them to ever end up doing any good (she's kicked out of volunteer jobs for being a Debbie Downer). Keener is the typical Nicole Holofcener creation, a character so annoying in her neuroses that you almost end up disliking the actor for bringing her to life. Thankfully, Keener's performance is balanced by that of the lovely Rebecca Hall, who plays the grandchild of Keener's next-door neighbor and has the thankless job of taking care of her miserable battle axe of a grandmother in the absence of anyone else who will. Her's is a portrait of someone who gives of herself not because she feels vaguely guilty or because she expects the admiration of others for her selflessness, but rather because she knows it's the right thing to do and that no one else is going to step up to do it.
Rounding out the cast of more or less misfits are Oliver Platt, as Keener's philandering husband; Amanda Peet, as Hall's preening and obnoxiously (but ultimately devastatingly insecure) selfish sister; and Lois Smith, in a small but sweet role as the grandmother of Hall's boyfriend.
Grade: B
"Please Give" suggests that frequently those most in need of our generosity are those who are closest to us. That theme is most vividly illustrated in the character played by Catherine Keener, a poster child for affluent white liberal guilt, who wants to help others in need but feels far too badly for them to ever end up doing any good (she's kicked out of volunteer jobs for being a Debbie Downer). Keener is the typical Nicole Holofcener creation, a character so annoying in her neuroses that you almost end up disliking the actor for bringing her to life. Thankfully, Keener's performance is balanced by that of the lovely Rebecca Hall, who plays the grandchild of Keener's next-door neighbor and has the thankless job of taking care of her miserable battle axe of a grandmother in the absence of anyone else who will. Her's is a portrait of someone who gives of herself not because she feels vaguely guilty or because she expects the admiration of others for her selflessness, but rather because she knows it's the right thing to do and that no one else is going to step up to do it.
Rounding out the cast of more or less misfits are Oliver Platt, as Keener's philandering husband; Amanda Peet, as Hall's preening and obnoxiously (but ultimately devastatingly insecure) selfish sister; and Lois Smith, in a small but sweet role as the grandmother of Hall's boyfriend.
Grade: B