In this era of world-shaping superhero adventures, gritty and ultra-violent crime dramas and other over-the-top cinematic approaches to life on this planet it is nice to find a movie about everyday, ordinary, normal people just trying to maneuver through the emotional obstacles of their days.  Movies that illustrate such common existence can and often do find meaning in the smallest details and nuances of humanity, conveying a shared sense of what it is to be human, in all its varied splendors.  And yet, some of these stories could really use a bit more meat for viewers to chew and savor.

Nicole Holofcener’s New York story centers on the married couple of Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Don (Tobias Menzies).  She is a writer, having trouble with her second book (fictional, this time) and Don is a therapist, having trouble connecting with his impatient patients.  Their grown son Eliot (Owen Teague) is present a lot, going through an unexpected break with his girlfriend.  The crisis comes when Beth overhears her supporting husband Don telling a friend that he doesn’t really like her new book — the same book that he has told her repeatedly is very good and worthy of publication.  Her trust shattered, Beth doesn’t know where to turn.

That’s basically it.  Beth loses her faith in Don, thinking that he has been lying to her for who knows how long.  Don defends himself, saying his emotional support has been far more imperative than his personal feeling about her fictional story.  And that impasse divides them, but gradually lessens as time passes, feelings are assuaged, family matters take dominance over their difference and healing begins.  It’s a simple story, presented with care and detail and nuance that is rewarding to watch — as long as one is interested enough to follow it.  I can see how some viewers would be bored.

The problem with following characters like this is that they are not extraordinary.  That’s the point, of course, but in this era the amazing exploits of others have caused regular people and their dealings to diminish by comparison.  Holofcener’s characters suffer problems of their own making,  Don, for instance, seems like a smart guy but as a therapist he’s a total dullard and it is not surprising to see patients turning against him.  Finally he sees the light and begins to offer suggestions to help, but it seems too little, too late, at least for one squabbling couple.  I felt like them watching the movie, thinking there should have been more actual therapy.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  25 April 2025.