Here is a film that perfectly captures the angst and complexities of life, a film that resists the temptation to neatly wrap its characters in succinct stereotypes. "Please Give" understands the deeply flawed fabric of the human race. Every character in this movie is glaringly imperfect, but the movie does not ask us to judge or criticize these imperfections. Rather, we are simply asked to understand them. By expressing such a refreshing comprehension of life's realities, "Please Give" is one of the most authentic, moving films of the year. I love this movie.
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Catherine Keener and Oliver Platt star as Kate and Alex, a seemingly happy married couple living in New York City who make a living out of buying furniture from the children of the deceased and re-selling that furniture at a higher price. Beneath the surface, however, Kate and Alex are consumed with angst and guilt. Kate views her profession as unethical, and is thus confounded by a moral dilemma, a dilemma that she attempts to reconcile by constantly giving money to the homeless, a self-serving habit that frustrates her plucky, insecure teenage daughter Abby (Sarah Steele). Alex, meanwhile, is guilt-ridden the moment he starts an affair with the snarky, sexy granddaughter (Amanda Peet) of his cranky next-door neighbor.
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I have just briefly glossed over the plot, but I will go no further in plot description, because part of the magic of "Please Give" is in its subtle nuance and surprise. This film does not follow down the familiar path that one might expect from a movie like this. Writer-director Nicole Holofcener does a beautiful job of taking the viewer in unexpected directions. "Please Give" deals with some pretty gloomy material, but thanks to Holofcener's mastery and maturity, the end result is life-affirming.
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Holofcener is aided by the strength of her superb cast. Catherine Keener, appearing in her fourth Holofcener film, is magnificent. Keener never ceases to amaze me with her impeccable ability to show the bare emotions of her tormented characters. The same can be said of Oliver Platt, one of the world's greatest, most under-appreciated actors. Platt gives one of the best performances of his career here as a man who can't seem to reason why he started an affair when his marriage is so functional. Amanda Peet is spectacular as a woman who is eventually forced to self-evaluate her superficial lifestyle. Rebecca Hall is a revelation as a woman who is emotionally worn down by the demands of caring for her curmudgeonly grandmother. And Sarah Steele is wonderful as the adolescent daughter who is plagued with self-doubt. All of the aforementioned actors give "Please Give" a genuine feel.
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The movie industry frequently tackles the issues of angst and family dysfunction, and often the result is dissatisfying and self-indulgent. But "Please Give" is a masterpiece, a movie that personifies the complicated essence of life.
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