Good Posture

I took a bit of a blind punt on this film, it was on my sky films list, and as I am rather partial to the odd 'offbeat' indie film I gave it a go.

This really is such a charming film, coloured with imaginative characters all of which are acted in such natural ways, there's nothing to make your eyes roll or let our a very long sigh, this is a very enjoyable and beautifully worked production.

I am so glad I watched this.

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.

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.

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.