Enough Said
Special Presentation

A pair of rather famous actors each offers up respective impressive performances in what are departures of the norm in Nicole Holofcener’s charming adult romantic comedy Enough Said. The late James Gandolfini, in one of his final performances, is heartwarming and endearing as a slightly slob-ish and humble divorced husband and father. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, meanwhile, is too a divorced parent with daughter, funny, awkward, and curious.

With palpable chemistry, Albert and Eva deal with love and responsibility after divorce, hoping not to repeat the mistakes of the past without compromising the present. While a turn finds Eva unknowingly befriending Albert’s ex wife (Catherine Keener) while dating Albert, perhaps the more powerful story focuses on how parents deal with an empty nest situation.

Perhaps Albert and Eva are filling voids, left by either their significant others or their daughters. While humour abounds with both intelligence and absurdity, particularly in conversations between the slightly goofy Eva and her feisty friend Sarah (Toni Collette), the dialogue about and with the daughters is most compelling and true to life.

Authenticity is where the film triumphs – you need not be either divorced or with teenage children to understand and appreciate the tender situations of our protagonists. They are flawed and confused but earnest and sympathetic. Despite their foibles, they’re irresistible; especially Gandolfini in a beautiful and bittersweet performance.

Schedule:
Sunday September 15 – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 – 9:00 PM

[star v=4]