On DVD and Blu Ray - "Enough Said" - Funny and authentic, well-written and with fine, natural performances from the two leads, this is a breezy, but thoroughly charming and intelligent Rom Com for the middle-aged crowd. The casual tone, consistently witty banter and a host of little intimate touches kept a smile on my face throughout.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays a professional masseuse and single divorced mom who becomes romantically involved with James Gandolfini's burly, but genial TV historian. Enamored with one another rather quickly (and sharing the understandable reservations and fears concerning the upcoming departures of their respective college-bound daughters) the couple seem destined for a meaningful endeavor. Things do get somewhat complicated (and slightly formulaic) when our heroine discovers that her intriguing new client (Catherine Keener) is her suitor's ex-wife- keeping the former couple in the dark concerning the connection (and aiming to forgo the possibility of a futile relationship) she gathers valuable little details about their relationship and why it eventually failed.
Former Seinfeld co-star Louis-Dreyfus reminded me that she is indeed charismatic and talented, possessing an impeccable sense of comedic timing- some of her expressions alone are absolutely golden. There's plenty here to showcase a capability towards more dramatic roles and, dammit, there's no good reason why she should remain relegated to Television fare.
This film marks the next to last feature film role for the recently departed James Gandolfini- about halfway through, I found myself disheartened that the New Jersey-born actor, known mostly for playing tough guy Tony Soprano on HBO's The Sopranos (amongst a myriad of other brutish turns), wasn't able to land more roles of this down-to-earth, everyman nature. I then realized that there aren't many films of this ilk released in a given year- affable but smartly scripted, allowing capable veteran actors to flex their stuff by simply playing characters who are seemingly very much like their comfortable, real-life selves. Gandolfini's as likable as I've ever seen him here; a few references to his weight in the film really struck a personal chord...
Aussie actress Toni Collete (Little Miss Sunshine) and Ben Falcone (Bridesmaids) provide worthwhile support as the married friends of our central character- the give-and-take dialogue between them is rather amusing. I was a bit on the fence concerning Catherine Keener's (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) performance here- I didn't like or dislike her character, though she seemed more like a means to an end than anything.
Enough Said doesn't reinvent the Rom-Com, though it is a cozy and thoughtful diversion that's leagues sharper than the the vast majority of Hollywood's constant onslaught of strikeouts in the genre. It's adult-oriented, doesn't resort to toilet humor for cheap laughs and features a genuinely appealing chemistry between the centerpiece couple. It will likely be most appreciated by females, though I can't think of anything that would repel discriminating males...
Highly Recommended
8.5 out of 10
Director: Nicole Holofcener
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, James Gandolfini, Chatherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Tracey Fairaway, Eve Hewson and Tavi Gevinson
Run-Time: 93 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, comic violence, language and partial nudity
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