Review of Please Give (2010) by Cory T — 04 Dec 2010

"Please Give" is a step outside the normal view for a movie. Here, the main characters are just normal people dealing with normal problems. Nicole Holofcener (known for her wonderful, complex characters) does not disappoint and provides a moving, well-made dramedy that hosts a fantastic cast.

Catherine Keener (still one of the best actresses in Hollywood) plays an antiques dealer, who with her husband (Oliver Platt-who also does a fantstic job) buy furniture from the homes of the recently deceased.

They live next door to a cranky elderly woman, who frequently receives help from her granddaughter (played by Rebecca Hall). Amanda Peet plays the other granddaughter, who would rather have nothing to do with her grandmother.

The central plot is more episodic, focusing more on the characters than an overall story. The characters all deal with problems. Keener feels guilt for what she does in her job and in turn, feels right when aiding the poor financially or volunteering.

Platt feels his marriage is solely a partnership and commits adultery with Peet, whose whole outlook on life is in the wrong. Hall feels some sort of commitment to her grandmother, which causes her to not be able to have a normal life.

Even Keener and Platt's daughter (played by new-comer Sarah Steele) feels out of place due to her mother's issues with guilt and her own problems with self-esteem. What makes this film stand out is how the characters finally find their sources of catharsis.

Holofcener uses her apt skill to mold these people together, inter-winding them in the hope that each other can somehow solve one another's problems. I felt that the humor in this was nice, but slowly fizzed down towards the closing of the film.

The film features some great performances, and of course, Holofcener's direction and writing are top-notch. The only bone I had to pick with this film was the pacing. Everything in this just kind of dragged along at it's own little pace that at times, the film felt too real.

I understand the beginning and ending aren't really beginnings and ends. The characters never fully get over their problems, but as real life goes, they learn to take life a day at a time and live with things the way they are, which I find boldly refreshing.

If this film had taken a little jolt of life in the second half and solved its pacing problems, this could have been something fantastic. In the end, the film stick to reality and provides an interesting look into modern guilt and the effects it can have (and not have) on those effected by it.

Overall, "Please Give" supports some fantastic performances, and a message that is sure to hit home with the viewer.