Enough Said / Nebraska

Two low budget films for you to enjoy here which, despite their fairly heavy subject matters, have a number of lighter moments and keep the flag flying for (relatively) independent film making. Enough Said is one of those odd films where virtually the entire storyline has been told in the trailer. However, it also has enough of a hook that means you'll still check it out if you're at a loose end. In addition, you may be swayed to check out one of the final film performances of James Gandolfini prior to his sad passing. Gandolfini stars as Albert, a divorcee who meets fellow divorcee Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus - by the way, if you can name a previous film starring her you're a better man than I) at a party and soon enough they begin dating. The problem is though that Eva begins giving massages to (unbeknown by her) Albert's ex, who isn't shy in putting the boot in. Soon the comments start to raise concerns with Eva that Albert isn't quite the man she thinks he is. Director Nicole Holofcener's films have always been a bit of a struggle due to her mainly filling them with largely unlikeable characters and this is no different. Toni Collette and Ben Falcone pop up as a rich bitter married couple that you wouldn't want to spend a minute of your life with and Albert's daughter is pure surliness. Even Eva has moments of meanness. What makes this work though is the chemistry in the scenes between Gandolfini and Louis-Dreyfus and Holofcener's script which is a more adult and mature (and believable) take on the modern rom-com (though a subplot regarding Eva's preference for hanging out with her daughters friend rather, than her own offspring, is set up and the then seemingly forgotten about). Moving on to another helmer who also likes to put the characters at the forefront of their movies, for me Alexander Payne's directorial career has alternated between so-so and above average (with Sideways the only real stand along classic) and the equation adds up as, following the so-so The Descendants, comes the enjoyable Nebraska. In effect a road movie, we follow the ageing Woody (Bruce Dern) and his son David (Will Forte) who travel from Montana to Nebraska in order to claim a million dollar marketing prize. Its obviously a ruse, but David goes along with it when he realises his father won't take no for an answer. On the way they stop at Woody's old home town around which the majority of the story hangs its hat. Scrapes ensue with family, old friends, old enemies and old flames. The relationship between the father and son is nicely explored with gradual reveals by Bob Nelson's script and the overall take on extended family politics will be familiar to all. Not all the characters are fully sculpted though (June Squibb as David's overbearing and promiscuous mother is just plain silly) and at times the extended silences just come across as a lack of editing as opposed to anything more cerebral. Visually this is a black and white production and Payne had to fight the studio to release his film in such a format, finally getting the green light following decent feedback at the previews. I'm not so sure it's the correct choice though as the rolling landscapes of the midwest get lost amongst the monochrome. Payne also had to battle the studio to get the actors he wanted in the main roles (you can find the lengthy lists on-line). Forte is barely known outside of the States, but you can see why Payne went for him as he brings a believable everyman quality to the part which may have been lost with the the distraction of having a more established star. This isn't a solid production all the way through (it's way too long for starters), but it hits home in its little moments (Woody's cousins laughing at David's alleged slow driving is a delight). Payne's films aren't too all tastes and this certainly won't convert anyone (the hackneyed final scene hardly helps), but if you want a break from noisy blockbusters then this will see you just fine. Rating: 7/10 (both films).