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Enough Said: Unexpectedly Charming

By Monica Terada · September 30, 2013

How many female directors can you name? Let me guess…Sofia Coppola. Not that many women out there making blockbuster movies, are there? Which is why, when a woman does make a movie, be that blockbuster or not, it’s important to show appreciation and point that out. Enough Said was written AND directed by Nicole Holofcener, and you know what, she did a pretty darned good job.

The movie stars the recently deceased James Gandolfini (Albert), who plays a middle-aged “loser,” although the loser part is arguable.

Julia Louis Dreyfus (Eva), one of the hilarious members of Seinfeld, argues in Gandolfini’s favor, well, somewhat, and his ex-wife, Catherine Keener (Marianne), presents compelling arguments against. Who will win the argument is what this movie is all about.

The script starts out kind of slow, not really captivating right off the bat. But when the movie suddenly takes a turn toward the profound psychological issues of a “middle-age” relationship, it charms in an unexpected way.

Eva and Albert have fallen in love, with no over-the-top musical score, and are very far off from Hollywood’s model beauty standards. Albert is fat and Eva cannot breathe when he is on top. Well, to be honest, she says she can, but I don’t buy it. Her face when he rolled on top of her was of TOTAL desperation.

 Anyways, the point is, the movie hits its points, its plot points that is, in a non-cliché way. But because it’s not the beautiful, perfect, Hollywood clichéd romance, it’s kind of depressing. It actually makes you think about your own relationships and just how incredibly difficult they are. Also, that women are the most annoying creatures on Earth! I can say that because I’m a woman and I’m so annoying I can’t even live with myself.

If the man doesn’t want nightstands then, my God, just let him be. But a woman can’t let him just be, not having nightstands metaphorically represents a person who cannot build a life for themselves—and a woman represents a person who cannot let a man have a life for HIMself. Oy vey.

Towards the middle of the movie, the side stories building up in the script start to really get exciting and genuine laughter is heard from the audience. Eva’s best friend’s maid delivers possibly the funniest line in the movie, proving that side stories are very, very important when done correctly.

Many laughs come from Dreyfus as Eva as well; comedy is, of course, her specialty. Her character is the sarcastic woman who makes fun of herself but has enough self esteem not to feel sorry for herself. The audience loves her because she’s real and has real problems, and in this non-Hollywoodish type romance, it can’t get any more “real.”

It must also be said that it is always a pleasure to see Gandolfini on the screen, even when his role is of a “loser.” The audience immediately empathizes with his character because, unfortunately for him, he’s the sweetheart surrounded by annoying women.

Women, leave your men alone and go to the movies to watch this flick directed by one of your kind. Nicole Holofcener’s, Enough Said, is charming.