Cast: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz, Daphne Rubin-Vega
Characters: Jack, Connie, Clyde, Lucy
It’s a nicely paced romantic comedy.
It has a spirit of When Harry Met Sally; but with PSH and Amy Ryan giving it more gravity.
It is not pointlessly, generically awkward: they are closed off, but have a sort of strength and stillness and openness to kinship and romance.
He never takes his hat off, even on a double-date
He listens to the same reggae song over and over again and constantly reminds people that they wont really appreciate the lyrics because they haven’t listened to it enough – we all have that song or album or film that we feel anxious about because nobody cares about it as much as we do… nobody really understands it like you.
Now he has to learn to cook as well as swim! He is really branching out
Clyde’s wife a serial adulterer – he seems happy to finally be able to confide in Jack about this. Jack is now an equal, in a relationship, and Clyde relishes the opportunity to confide and offer advice. Jack is at the beginning of his journey, and is hopeful. This is infectious to be around.
Jack’s new adventure can help all the people around him. It just takes one person to march out into the unknown for all the people close to them to be whisked into a new phase of their lives too. Not just physically and situationally, but on an intensely personal level for all involved.
“Maybe a little good night kiss? Y’know, nothing overwhelming”
“I’m not ready for penis penetration”
They are so charmingly, hopelessly open and naïve. And utterly without romance.
But then… “I like how you touch me, how you barely touch my skin”
- She has a real sexuality and an understanding of her body
It captures the warm glow and crisp freshness of New York in winter.
The dichotomy between J&C’s hopeful, hesitant vigour and C&L’s painful, bitter loss may be a bit laboured at times.
Grizzly Bear is the perfect New York winter music; but it was used to better effect in Blue Valentine.
His nervous tick cough gives him away to Lucy – he is no match for her vixen-like confidence. He is adaptable and dependent.
“I think I might be ready, if you overwhelm me, if you force me.”
He stands for what feels like an eternity, what is he thinking? And then… BAM… he bull charges her onto the bed. It is the most astounding show of energy and confidence we have seen from this timid but determined man. He isn’t going to let anything beat him in this journey.
It is an empowering and hopeful film.
“I knew you would be good.”
“I am for you.”
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