This is a truly modern romantic comedy, a multi-generational love story set against the iconic backdrop of New York City. Composer Steven Lauddem (Peter Dinklage) is creatively blocked and unable to finish the score for his big comeback opera. At the behest of his wife, Patricia (Anne Hathaway), formally his therapist, he sets out in search of inspiration, which he finds after a chance encounter with an unusual woman, one, Katrina Trento (Marisa Tomei), and what he discovers is much more than he bargained for or imagined. Then this is intertwined with a couple of bright teenagers who fight to prove to their parents that young love can last forever. And for a successful therapist who seemingly has it all, love arrives in the most unexpected of ways.
Others to round out the cast are Evan A. Ellison as Julian Jessop, Harlow Jane as Tereza Szyskowski, Brian d'Arcy James as Trey Ruffa, Chris Gethard as Carl, Joanna Kulig as Magdalena and Dale Soules as Aunt Moxie.
This was soulfully directed with pathos and with underlying emotions by Rebecca Miller ("Angela" '95, "Personal Velocity" '02, "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" '05, "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" '09, "Maggie's Plan" '15, "Arthur Miller: Writer" (TV movie) '17). For the many decades that this filmmaker has been producing movies, there isn'r necessarily a plethora of experience, however, she has a definitive amount of quality. Interesting that it took her six years to release this film from the last release, but the pandemic could've played into that. She definitely know how to encourage her actors to emit the emotions needed for any certain scene involved. This was also written by Rebecca Miller (see above resume plus "Proof" '05). Assuredly the characters in which Miller created were written purposely to coincide with the premise, however, other than the two young teenagers, the rest of the characters were deeply troubled. It was extremely difficult to feel sorry for anyone else. The issues they all obtained were stunning, but, then again, this had to be purposed in order to have a film. There was a bit of choppiness in the script--such as having a bit more polish when connecting all of the relationships in the script, and it did have a small amount of continuity issues, otherwise it was interesting. The best aspect of this was the fact that the premise was much more original than that of the typical romcom fare.
As stated prior, if you're into romcoms, this definitely is more meaty that what a typical Hollywood romcom could come close to producing. It's original, unpredictable, quirky and, in some places, a bit bizarre. The actors certainly were believable in their respective roles, however nothing Oscar worthy. But,then again, it probably wasn't made to win a best picture award, and that's fine with me.
Out 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: R 102mins.
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