Not much happens in You Hurt My Feelingsthe most recent feature film by director Nicole Holofcener (The Last Duel, Can You Ever Forgive Me?). It is this lively representation of a banal conflict, of a situation without much interest, which is its strength. There are no twists and turns, nothing to get your teeth into for those who love films that keep them in their seats, and yet the story of Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Don (Tobias Menzies) charms us. . The dialogues are realistic and often amusing. Everyday scenes become captivating in the eyes of the director.
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movie scene You Hurt My Feelings
The main reason for this interest is the ease that one has, as a spectator, to understand the quarrel on which the plot is based. Ego, trust, betrayal… all these themes intersect in this moment when Beth hears Don admit to someone close to him that he didn’t like his wife’s new book. We can’t help but imagine what our own reaction would be. Beth’s is intense, but we sympathize with her. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ acting conveys these strong emotions that her character feels.
Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Outlander) is fantastic in the role of Don, a man who does not make waves, who questions his abilities as a psychologist and feels overtaken by the passage of time. Surrounding the codependent couple are her son Elliott (Owen Teague), Beth’s endearing sister Sarah (Michaela Watkins), her husband, failed actor Mark (Arian Moayed). This ecosystem, a normal family with normal problems, complements Beth and Don’s dynamic well.
Premiering at Sundance in late winter, You Hurt My Feelings is an introspective film, which manages to make people laugh, generate compassion and make people think about our own egos and relationships. It takes talent to turn the mundane into something entertaining. Nicole Holofcener achieves this nicely.
Indoors
Drama
You Hurt My Feelings
Nicole Holofcener
With Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies and Michaela Watkins
1:33 a.m.