Private Life

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.

I have always had a soft corner for well written, ultra realistic dramas like this one, so I liked it anyway. But what makes this noteworthy is its intriguing brand of humour, which is so subtle, suppressed even. And very cinematic all the same, communicated via cuts and mis-en-scene. The soundtrack is one of the best I have heard in the past few years and the performances are very very good too.

The plot may make it seem like this lacks universal appeal but it spoke a lot to me about how we all inadvertently do so much for brief reprieves from the abyss, and how that is both futile and necessary. Netflix funding some real good stuff these days.

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...

The entire cast turns in wonderful performances. The script is infused with droll humor, and the multiple instances of awkwardness come off as genuine, bolstered by sensitive pacing. The storyline feels a bit worn and redundant at times, but this might have been intentional, considering the subject matter. In contrast, many contemporary American films strive to include way too many plot points. The city scenes and interiors made me miss New York -- the production design was quite good. There are a few subtle surprises in the script which worked well. Highly recommended.