Private Life

Great actors and very appropriate casting of Giamatti and Hahn. I've loved this hysterical Katherine Hahn character ever since the series I Love Dick. Such a treat to see them together, and so natural! There really wasn't one moment where I felt like I was outside of the film looking in. It really captured (how I imagine!) this scenario to be, particularly the unsexiness of trying to get pregnant over and over. I also enjoyed the rebellious commentary from their niece on their art driven lifestyle, reminded me of crap I would've said in my first years at uni, haha. The focus on fertility, pregnancy, IVF cycles et al. can be a lil heavy and will probably deter the male audience (meh) but it is a film that I'd rather watch alone or with friends - not a date movie! Probably unrelated but something something like this actually happens in the film too...

Once again, Kathryn Hahn delivers some stunning work. The entire film is very effective and very well scripted.

An interesting portrait of a couple who tries everything to fulfill their dream and become parents but forgetting what their relationship is all about in the process. A very personal film that handles about a very personal topic, wonderfully put in scene and written by Tamara Jenkins who finally presents us a follow up project after "The Savages" and it is just as realistic and natural. To make a rather sad and to some extends tragic story a dramedy thanks to very well chosen comedic moments was the right decision. She found two great actors who both know how to do drama and comedy and the mix of that. Paul Giamatti absolutely shines and gives one of his best performances in ages. The quality of his performance goes back to his "Sideways" days. Kathryn Hahn once again proves her talent as one of the most underrated versatile actresses of her generation. Glad she got to show her acting powers in such a juicey role. John Caroll Lynch also gets to show that he not only can plays psychopaths and losers. Molly Shannon is wonderful in a supporting role and commands every scene she is in. Another great performance by another great and underrated actress.Kayli Carter is a great new discovery and she will go places. An intimate portrait of a marriage that is put to a test. Absolutely recommendable.

The unmeasurable level of sacrifice that many women go through in an effort to have a rewarding career and loving family was inconceivable to me before I watched a Private Life. The strain such an effort can likely have on a woman's husband, or life partner, proved even harder for my mind to conceptualize. Even being without kids, myself, and crossing an age when life tends to fold on a single decision, I found it nearly impossible to wrap my head around the reality of the process and accept that it often drains everything short of a soul out of those trying to create life. Then came this film. Perfectly scripted, brilliantly performed, and intimately directed, this 2-hour Indie caused me to feel as I was eavesdropping on the private moments of a middle-aged couple going through its greatest crisis. Now it's the thing I can't get out of my head.

You may wonder what some people have to fight with. A couple who wants to have kids. Seems simple enough. But then you have to account for different things: the age of the couple, if they want to adopt or "make" a baby themselves. And then everyday drama and stress begins, with many relationships being strained.

Now that may not sound enticing to you and that would be ok. But if you like dramas in general and like real life portrayed in film, this is a little gem of a film. Funny, sad, inspiring, draining, annoying, uplifting ... many things you and the characters will go through. Brilliantly acted out by everyone involved. And what a great ending ... not going to be liked by everybody - but then again you couldn't please everyone anyway.