Nicole Holofcener writes and directs intelligent
films about modern women, and nothing spells “box-office
poison” to Hollywood suits like movies of this sort. With any luck,
Holofcener’s latest, Friends with Money, will raise the filmmaker’s profile. Portraits of
complex women in film are hard to find, yet Holofcener’s work is rife
with well-rounded, realistic characters, a breath of fresh air in the face
of the stilted figures that often clutter the usual Tinseltown fodder. The four women at the center of Money couldn’t be more
different. Franny (Joan Cusack) is the richest; with her husband, Matt
(Greg Germann), she ponders what to do with large sums of their money, as
well as how to fill her day. Christine (Catherine Keener) and her husband,
David (Jason Isaacs), a successful screenwriting duo, are adding a second
floor to their home. They have no clue that this project is negatively
affecting their neighbors, just as they’re oblivious to the fact that
their marriage is crumbling. Jane (Frances McDormand), a successful fashion
designer, doesn’t have such domestic worries. Her husband, Aaron
(Simon McBurney), is a successful professional in his own right and as
supportive as a spouse can be. However, it is odd that all of Jane’s
friends think he’s gay, a fire that is fueled when he begins hanging
out with another man (Ty Burrell), who just happens to be named Aaron, too.
Then there’s poor Olivia (Jennifer Aniston), a former teacher who
quit teaching at a high school in an upper-class neighborhood and now
cleans houses for a living. Her friends are concerned — but not
concerned enough to shell out some money to help. Holofcener effectively points out that the biggest
problem each of these women face is overcoming feelings of isolation and
insecurity, things their money only exacerbates. Franny is so out of the
loop that she casually mentions that she and Matt donated $2 million to
their daughter’s school and often wonder what it would be like to
have to work. In a sense, Christine isn’t much better, continually
failing to realize important details in her life, including recognizing
that the small spats she has with her husband may be indicative of bigger
problems. Meanwhile, Jane’s behavior becomes more and more erratic as
Jane sinks into depression and experiences violent mood swings. These three are just as confused as Olivia, who,
without the benefit of money as a buffer, finds herself sleepwalking
through her life, suffering from a case of low self-esteem that she fully
recognizes but doesn’t care to separate herself from. This may all sound like heavy lifting, but the cast
and Holofcener’s breezy direction make the film not only insightful
but also entertaining. A tone of irony throughout the allows us to look at
these women’s situations with a degree of compassion, even though
there are times when we want to stand up and slap them as well.
Also in theaters this week. . .
American Dreamz [PG-13] A
feisty Midwestern girl and a show-tune-singing Orange County guy face each
other in a talent show championship. When the president of the United
States wants in on the action, things get ugly. ShowPlace East
The Benchwarmers [PG-13] A
trio of middle-aged has-beens forms a baseball team to compete against area
Little League teams in a feeble attempt to gain some dignity. ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Ice Age: The Meltdown [PG]
The Ice Age is officially over and Diego, Manny and Sid must alert the
others before the ice melts and the valley is destroyed. ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East, Route 66 Drive-In
Inside Man [R] Hostage
negotiator Keith Frazier finds himself in a match of wits with a bank
robber, but quickly realizes the heist isn’t exactly what it seems to
be. Directed by Spike Lee. ShowPlace West
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector [PG-13] Larry, a jovial health inspector, spends his days
checking hole-in-the-wall diners for code violations — that is, until
he gets a new partner and a high-profile food poisoning case at a series of
upscale eateries. ShowPlace East
Lucky Number Slevin [R]
Slevin gets caught in Mafia crossfire when two dangerous crime bosses, the
Boss and the Rabbi, mistake his identity. Lucky he is not. ShowPlace West
The Sentinel [PG-13] Special Agent Pete Garrison is
determined to nail a traitor before the president of the United States gets
hit. ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Silent Hill [R] On a road
trip to help save her ailing daughter, Rose Da Silva stops in Silent Hill,
a desolate town with an evil presence. Rose’s daughter goes missing,
but in Silent Hill things aren’t always as they seem. ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Take the Lead [PG-13]
Ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane takes on a bunch of New York City school
kids, and when the footwork of ballroom and hip-hop collide, a new style is
born. ShowPlace West
Thank You For Smoking [R]
The CEO of a major tobacco company, Nick Naylor, tries to teach his son
some ethical lessons and maintain his big business earnings from selling
smokes. ShowPlace West
The Wild [G] A young lion
departs from New York Zoo for the vast lands of Africa leaving behind a few
friends who are determined to get him back. ShowPlace
West, ShowPlace
East
This article appears in Apr 13-19, 2006.
