Good Posture

It always fascinates me when there is a discrepancy between 'user' ratings and the critics. I don't know why people are unimpressed by this film. It is an original and surprising sort of urban New York 'coming of age' story, with very good performances, subtle humour and Austen like irony. The plotting is brilliant, but above all else it is kind and humane; kind to its characters and really quite profound in its humanity, without ever once losing its indie lightness of touch.

I had no prior knowledge of this film when I started watching it so I became incredibly bored after 15 minutes and turned it off. I started it again a few weeks later., and watched another 15 minutes before becoming bored again. A month later I watched the rest of it and could not help thinking: Emily Mortimer must have been desperate to put her name to this; John Early made the 'most irritating man in the world' seem really easy; Grace van Patten shines as she always does despite being in a very unshiny film; and I feel nothing, absolutely nothing at all, nothing whatsoever having watched the credits roll up, except a faint tinge of 'what else could I have done with my time tonight?' Those who like self congratulatory, pretentious, pseudo art films will love it.

Van Patten plays a pleasant but selfish and lazy individual, who, dumped by her boyfriend has to stay with her father's friend, a reclusive, successful author - Julia. Seemingly unable to communicate effectively with Julia, she decides to make a documentary about her.

This is a pleasant enough tale about growing up, with a Van Patten good company in the lead despite being something of a jerk.

Lilian is a young adult in New York city. Her mother is simply missing, her dad has a girlfriend in Paris, he doesn't seem very dedicated to keep up communications with Lilian. But he does provide financial support, when she needs money. She is currently sharing a place with a boyfriend. She seems very bright but totally unmotivated.

When the boyfriend situation turns sour her dad arranges that she can go down the street to stay at the home of a well-known lady author. Her most recent book was "good Posture", thus the title of this movie. The lady is reclusive, spending most of her time in her room upstairs, writing. Or so it appears. Maybe she just has writer's block? She sees what is happening with Lilian, calls her an "entitled oaf."

I don't rate this movie highly, but I enjoyed it for what it is. Sort of a "coming of age" for Lilian, figuring out that you can't just expect that others will care for you, you have to get some enthusiasm for something then work hard at it. That's just the way life is.

Streaming on Peacock.

Good acting, acceptable production values on par with a low budget - I guess (a real aestheticist-entrepreneur the one who decided to throw his money here...).

Unfortunately despite 2-3 nice scenes, the insipide writing, pointless story and basic direction don't justify the view.