Good Posture

Yes it's a little odd at times, but well written, directed and produced. Actors all add their own 'something' to this movie. Really enjoyed the storyline, really enjoyed it. Loved the characters - it felt real.

Mortimer's Julia and Grace Van Patten's Lilian are at daggers drawn the second they set eyes on each other, an antipathy that only heightens once Julia insists that her houseguest should start earning her keep. Gradually, though, their frosty relationship, largely conducted through notes penned in Lilian's private diary, begins to thaw, a softening that happens in tandem with Lilian's own stumbling towards maturity. Written and directed by Mortimer's friend and Doll & Em collaborator, Dolly Wells, Good Posture is a slight but affecting yarn that cleverly makes you root for outwardly unsympathetic antagonists. Along the way it amusingly punctures the publishing world's precocity, Lilian's self-serving decision to make a documentary about Mortimer's "Miss Havisham" prompting hilariously po-faced contributions from Martin Amis and Zadie Smith, as well as a downright dotty one from a dancing Jonathan Ames. The insularity and selfabsorption of the drama's upscale milieu won't be for everyone. Yet those who give it a chance might be surprised how touched they are by a film that's both a love letter to New York and a spry salute to sisterhood.

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.

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.