Help me exacerbate my mad writing crush on Nicole Holofcener!
November 1, 2013 6:33 PM Subscribe
Last night I saw Enough Said and it blew my mind with how great the writing was as well as the acting. What other movies would the Mefiverse recommend in this vein?
What I liked about it was the characters were deeply defined and multi-layered, behaved as real people would in their circumstances, and held each other accountable for their actions. Bonus points for having a serious lack of Hollywood veneer lacquered over the top of the movie.
The best thing about it was Nicole Holofcener relied entirely on the inherent qualities of the scene to carry the emotional impact without being heavy-handed about it, or using a scene to pimp a soundtrack.
Who are some other writer/directors who tread this same track?
The best thing about it was Nicole Holofcener relied entirely on the inherent qualities of the scene to carry the emotional impact without being heavy-handed about it, or using a scene to pimp a soundtrack.
Who are some other writer/directors who tread this same track?
I think Lisa Cholodenko, Noah Baumbach, and Kenneth Lonergan all seem to share a similar sensibility with Holofcener. Tamara Jenkins is another one.
posted by cazoo at 7:26 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by cazoo at 7:26 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen Enough Said yet but I love everything by Holofcener. I think she writes women differently -and better - than pretty much anyone I've seen and has a quirky perspective. Definitely see other things by her if you haven't - Lovely and Amazing is one of my favorites.
I also love Jennifer Westfeldt- I don't think her writing is as strong, but she has great characters and great acting, and an interesting, quirky perspective that I think is similar to Holofcener.
posted by sweetkid at 8:07 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I also love Jennifer Westfeldt- I don't think her writing is as strong, but she has great characters and great acting, and an interesting, quirky perspective that I think is similar to Holofcener.
posted by sweetkid at 8:07 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I just watched Your Sister's Sister and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it (I often find myself hating the people in those kinds of movies). I think that would be right up your alley.
posted by emcat8 at 8:30 PM on November 1, 2013
posted by emcat8 at 8:30 PM on November 1, 2013
Best answer: My partner, the cinéaste of the family, opines that Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore was the "groundbreaker" of this genre.
He also shortlists Robert Altman's Short Cuts and Phil Morrison's Junebug.
He thinks Anywhere but Here is an underrated choice in this category, although it has what I'd call a pretty serious Hollywood veneer.
He believes Happy Endings is better than Don Roos's more well-known film, The Opposite of Sex.
He also says to watch Gilmore Girls, for which Holofcener directed one episode.
In a heavier style, he recommends Mother and Child.
And thus ends my partner's first-ever contribution to Metafilter.
posted by mykescipark at 11:01 PM on November 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
He also shortlists Robert Altman's Short Cuts and Phil Morrison's Junebug.
He thinks Anywhere but Here is an underrated choice in this category, although it has what I'd call a pretty serious Hollywood veneer.
He believes Happy Endings is better than Don Roos's more well-known film, The Opposite of Sex.
He also says to watch Gilmore Girls, for which Holofcener directed one episode.
In a heavier style, he recommends Mother and Child.
And thus ends my partner's first-ever contribution to Metafilter.
posted by mykescipark at 11:01 PM on November 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
Away From Her--Sarah Polley's directorial debut, based on an Alice Munro short story and starring Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent. It's about what happens when the wife of a married couple is diagnosed with Alzheimers.
Trigger--stars Molly Parker and Tracy Wright (she was also in Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know, which I also think you'd like) as former friends and bandmates who reunite for a tour.
[And because I have the feeling you would like it though you didn't ask for documentaries, I'll also recommend Sarah Polley's film about her complicated family history, Stories We Tell. If possible, it's best to watch it without knowing too much about it.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:59 AM on November 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Trigger--stars Molly Parker and Tracy Wright (she was also in Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know, which I also think you'd like) as former friends and bandmates who reunite for a tour.
[And because I have the feeling you would like it though you didn't ask for documentaries, I'll also recommend Sarah Polley's film about her complicated family history, Stories We Tell. If possible, it's best to watch it without knowing too much about it.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:59 AM on November 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Everything that people have said above is great. Some more specifics:
The film Roger Dodger.
The film Frances Ha.
posted by miles1972 at 1:38 AM on November 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
The film Roger Dodger.
The film Frances Ha.
posted by miles1972 at 1:38 AM on November 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Win Win, with Paul Giamatti, by the guy who did The Station Agent. (People seem to love The Station Agent, too, but I haven't seen it.)
posted by Madamina at 6:00 AM on November 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Madamina at 6:00 AM on November 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bcwinters at 7:18 PM on November 1, 2013 [1 favorite]