A One Mann’s Movies review of “You Hurt My Feelings” (2023).
I’d heard mixed views on “this one”You Hurt My Feelings”, now streaming on Prime Video. But I was very pleasantly surprised.
“Does my bum look big in this?”. Seven words to put an icy chill through the blood of any partner. There is of course only one acceptable answer to this question (if you don’t want your conjugal rights withdrawn). And this is ultimately the quandary at the heart of Nicole Holofcener’s film: a very witty and clever exploration of the little white lies that we scatter throughout our relationships under the guise of “encouragement”.
Holefcener both wrote and directed the film. She is best known as a writer, having been Oscar nominated as co-writer of the Richard E. Grant / Melissa McCarthy film “Can You Ever Forgive Me” (you can see the similarities here) and (more surprisingly) the Ridley Scott medieval rape-drama “The Last Duel“.
I note by the way that this was made by a production company called “It’s Just My Opinion”, so I assume that this was the original (and i.m.h.o. rather better) film title.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is a writer trying to follow up her successful autobiography with her first work of fiction. She is very happily married to her husband Don (Tobias Menzies) who always says encouraging things about her 2-year-long-in-the-making Magnum Opus. But when Beth and her sister Sarah (Michaela Watkins) overhear Don giving an alternative view to Sarah’s husband Mark (Arian Moayed), Beth’s little world of love and trust disintegrates.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Very strong language, child sex abuse references”.)
Talent:
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Owen Teague.
Directed by: Nicole Holofcener.
Written by: Nicole Holofcener.
Twitter Handle: #YouHurtMyFeelings.
In their own little world of acting depression and little white lies, Mark (Arian Moayed) and Sarah (Michaela Watkins). (Source: A24).
“You Hurt My Feelings” Review:
Positives:
- I found the script by Holefcener to be both deep and extremely witty. It reminded me of a Nora Ephron work. It (unusually) made me laugh multiple times and there were some moments of snort-worthy humour: such as the girl serving at the pot-store offering her services to Beth because she was an “executive producer”. The film also puts a stake through the heart of ‘V’-neck sweaters as a gift for men!
Don – “No man wants a V-neck – we have nothing to show.”
- Tobias Menzies (Prince Phillip of course in two of the series of “The Crown”) gives a fabulous performance – very nuanced. His ‘sessions’ with his counselling subjects are hilarious and very well observed. He also delivers a wonderful American accent.
Negatives:
- I mean, I don’t like to speak ill of the wonderful Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is obviously a highly talented comic actress, but she has to perform one particularly histrionic scene with Menzies and I’m afraid it didn’t fully work for me.
Summary Thoughts on ”You Hurt My Feelings”
Clever, intelligent and well-observed movie about a long term married relationship. Recommended if you can relate to those words.
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Trailer for “You Hurt My Feelings”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20GWk5cWPBs.
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