Lovely and Amazing

Was this a story? No, it didnt seem to go anywhere. Was it a chic-flick? Possibly, by what happens is not romance. Was it a drama? Thats close, but there was no change in the characters and no real plot progression. Was it a character study? Yes, - it was that, a quick look at three neurotic women, a middle aged mother and two birth daughters. The mother also has a very young adopted African American daughter who is not neurotic yet.

Brenda Blethyn plays Jane, the mother, an important but secondary role. She has more than 20 years of acting experience beginning in the UK. Emily Mortimer plays her daughter, Elizabeth, a wannabe actress, who like her film mother is neurotically focused on appearance and like her mother collects the disadvantaged. Emily began her career in the TV miniseries Sharpes Sword (1995). She has also had roles in Elizabeth (1998) and Notting Hill (1999). Catherine Keener plays Michelle, the oldest daughter who is stuck in adolescence and failed craft projects that she tries to sell as art. Keener was also in Walking and Talking (1996) another film written and directed by Holofcener, and later in Out of Sight (1998), Being John Malkovich (1999) and Simpatico (1999). Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jordan, who hires Michelle and finds her attractive. He did this film after his work in October Sky (1999) and before The Good Girl (2002) and Moonlight Mile (2002).

Raven Goodwin plays Annie, the adopted ten-year-old, who acts out and creates some of the more interesting scenes in the film. This was her first film and I thought she provided an amazing presence for her age and experience.

Nicole Holofcener wrote and directed this film. Her directing background is primarily in television, e.g. the TV series Six Feet Under (2001). For this film she chose good actors and she reproduced some of her own family situation; she had a younger adopted African American brother.

The interviews on the DVD were disappointing, filled with repetitious praise for the script and how well they liked the other actors. Finally, if nothing else, this film should convince you to never, ever undergo liposuction.

Reviewed May 13, 2003