Please Give
Directed by: Nicole Holofcener
Starring: Catherine Keener, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt
Rated: R for language, some sexual content, and nudity
Guilt does funny things to people. That sentence sums up the dark comedy Please Give by Nicole Holofcener. The film follows a group of people who live in a New York City apartment complex, all of whom are motivated by their deep feelings, mostly of guilt. From the bargain furniture seller (the wonderful Catherine Keener) who feels guilty for pawning furniture from the children of the deceased, to her husband (Oliver Platt), who begins an affair because he can't be the man he once was. From the young nurse (the lovely Rebecca Hall) who feels guilty for wanting a life of her own beyond just taking care of her ailing grandmother, to her sister (Amanda Peet) who is so hurt from her recent break up that she is bitter to the world with an air of self-sufficiency. Through laughs and tears, we learn from these characters, making this a truly enjoyable film (besides the opening credit sequence, which depicts doctor's examinations in the most uncomfortable of ways.) And, through it all, we learn that the way to rid yourself of guilt is by doing what is right from the start. (Although the film fails to recognize that honesty and asking for forgiveness is an essential part of the process.) This quirky, enjoyable movie depicts the best reason for giving to others: because doing what is right always makes us feel good.
Starring: Catherine Keener, Rebecca Hall, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt
Rated: R for language, some sexual content, and nudity
Guilt does funny things to people. That sentence sums up the dark comedy Please Give by Nicole Holofcener. The film follows a group of people who live in a New York City apartment complex, all of whom are motivated by their deep feelings, mostly of guilt. From the bargain furniture seller (the wonderful Catherine Keener) who feels guilty for pawning furniture from the children of the deceased, to her husband (Oliver Platt), who begins an affair because he can't be the man he once was. From the young nurse (the lovely Rebecca Hall) who feels guilty for wanting a life of her own beyond just taking care of her ailing grandmother, to her sister (Amanda Peet) who is so hurt from her recent break up that she is bitter to the world with an air of self-sufficiency. Through laughs and tears, we learn from these characters, making this a truly enjoyable film (besides the opening credit sequence, which depicts doctor's examinations in the most uncomfortable of ways.) And, through it all, we learn that the way to rid yourself of guilt is by doing what is right from the start. (Although the film fails to recognize that honesty and asking for forgiveness is an essential part of the process.) This quirky, enjoyable movie depicts the best reason for giving to others: because doing what is right always makes us feel good.
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