Enough Said
Massage therapist Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Veep) is a divorced mother with a comfortable routine. She treats her clients in their homes, deals with their quirks and comes home to her daughter. Facing an empty home when her daughter moves away to college, Eva decides to expand her social circle. She’s not looking for a man; she just doesn’t want to spend her nights alone stewing that her baby girl lives across the country.
At a party, she meets Albert (James Gandolfini: Zero Dark Thirty), a divorced dad also fretting over a college-bound daughter. They click instantly, but Eva isn’t sure if she wants a relationship — or even if she’s attracted to Albert, who’s a bit of a slob.
She takes a chance, and sparks fly. But are sparks enough for a mature relationship? Albert doesn’t dress for brunch, he’s overweight and he can’t whisper. Hardly hanging offenses, but as Eva works on a new client (Catherine Keener: The Croods) who constantly badmouths her ex, she questions whether Albert is worth the effort. Is she willing to risk her heart on another imperfect man, or is she better off alone?
A film about the mistakes we make and the people willing to overlook them, Enough Said is a smartly written, funny and beautifully acted romantic comedy. Writer/director Nicole Holofcener (Please Give) has a knack for great dialog. Funny, awkward moments make you squirm even as you laugh. The natural chemistry between Gandolfini and Louis-Dreyfus helps Holofcener’s script.
Best of all, Holofcener’s characters aren’t gorgeous 30-somethings looking for love through a series of hijinks. Eva and Albert are older, settled and interested in making a real connection. There are no grand romantic gestures or overly dramatic fights, just great conversation and superb acting.
Louis-Dreyfus as Eva is our likeable protagonist. With her charm and comedic timing, Louis-Dreyfus makes it look easy. It’s also refreshing to note that Eva’s age isn’t part of the conversation. She doesn’t worry that she’s too old to date or spend long scenes staring at her wrinkles in the mirror. She’s a beautiful woman who knows that she’s a catch.
Playing the slobbish Yin to Eva’s fastidious Yang, Gandolfini is a revelation. Shedding the Tony Soprano persona, he makes Albert a sweet Teddy bear with a wicked sense of humor. With his easygoing nature and a sly smile, Gandolfini makes fat, balding Albert sexier than many of the shirtless Adonises who graced the screen this summer. It’s a great tragedy that Gandolfini died just as he opened new territory.
Watching two great performers fall in love is a wonderful reason to go to the movies. For TV fanatics, it’s a great chance to see what would happen if Elaine from Seinfeld hooked up with Tony Soprano.