Sam & Kate

This is a really special film about love, loss and relationships. The cast is superb and I can't believe this film slipped under the radar the way it has. It's far better than the average ratings suggest and touched a nerve for me in several places.

Casting the real life father and son with the Hoffman's was a great touch. There is levity and drama and on the whole just a real genuine and heart felt backbone that's true to life.

Another stroke of genius with the casting is Henry Thomas, of E. T. Fame and more recently the string of successful Mike Flanagan series, in the role of Sam's trusted friend.

This is well worth the watch. If you're at all tempted you will definitely be rewarded.

No expectations, no trailer, little information, romantic comedy.

This movie just popped up, usually I have no interest in this sort of movie and the only draw to it was DH.

For a slow burner the pacing was nice, Goldilocks even.

It's a simple story that would reflect many audience members lives or if not, would have a familiar ring to it for at least one of its story threads.

It doesn't batter you over the head with its themes or narrative and thankfully let's you fill in the blanks and work out the context and conclusions.

The actors are gentle the dialogue is light and witty. Don't expect head thrown back laughter but chuckles and titters, in a good way.

I have done no research but I would be surprised if this didn't come from a small book or short story, possibly an off broadway or festival play. Though I'm probably wrong!

For a lazy warm Sunday afternoon go watch and have a glass of wine!

Sam (Jake Hoffman) has come home to care for his ailing father Bill (Dustin Hoffman). He's taken with book seller Kate (Schuyler Fisk). Bill becomes interested in her mother Tina (Sissy Spacek).

These are two Hollywood legends and their kids. Of the four of them, there is one squeaky wheel. Jake Hoffman is not a big name. His acting is limited. He does fit this slacker loser role. I accept his mistaken donation as the story's need for drama. For his character's sake, he really should have a big cinematic redemption. He should wait at the donation bin for days if necessary to get her stuff back. That's a writing problem. It comes down to Darren Le Gallo's full length debut as a director and as a writer. It's a small story that needs a more skilled hand at the wheel. The two Hollywood legends deliver. Schuyler Fisk should probably do more movies. I'm sure that she's happy with her music career. It's just that she has this adorable coolness that really works on the screen.

Some may feel prior to viewing Sam & Kate that the casting of film legends Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek's adult children is a gimmick to garner publicity for the film, and of course it likely was an intended angle. However, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk are accomplished actors in their own right so the on-screen interactions are very organic and natural and in no way a distraction. One comment I've read is that Schuyler is such a natural, bright light of a presence here and I agree we should see more from her on screen. The story itself is more dramatic than the marketing would lead you to believe, which is so often the case. But the storytelling is first-rate and moves along nicely with some unexpected character developments, even though Dustin's arc is fairly predictable from the start. Spacek has the strongest and most interesting material in my opinion and she performs with her customary charm and understated artistry. It's been a real treat to see some of her later work finally pair her with other film heavyweights such as Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, and now Dustin Hoffman. Overall, a mostly dramatic film with strong and likeable performances carrying the day.

The title makes it clear this is a story about the son and daughter, played by Jake Hoffman as Sam and Schuyler Fisk as Kate. Their parents in the movie are played by their real life parents, Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek. It didn't start out that way, but when an actor dropped out Dustin was pulled in.

Set and filmed in a small Georgia town, Sam is an aspiring artist who works in a low-paying job in a candy factory. He lives with his old dad to help take care of him and although a very kind 40-something man is somewhat of a slacker.

Kate has an air of mystery about her, she co-owns and works in a book store. When Sam is first smitten with her she tells him she isn't really into dating just then, much later we find out about her tragic losses.

A lot happens in this movie but it all happens very deliberately. Some might term it "slow." But it moves along at the right pace for the story, which involves issues with each parent as well as the two 40-something children finding ways to move forward in their lives.

My wife and I enjoyed it, streaming on NBC's Peacock site.

As an aside Dustin and Jake Hoffman first acted in the same movie in the 1988 movie "Rain Man."