"Private Life" Review
"Private Life" follows two people in their 40's to 50's (Paul Giamatti, Kathryn Hahn) on their journey to conceive a child -a plot that I couldn't've cared less about to be honest. Like all great stories, this takes hyper-realized characters and makes me empathize with their problems. And I fell in love with almost everything about the movie.
Kudos to Hahn and Giamatti for portraying one of the most rawest couple since Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in Before Midnight. You root for them even though, at times, they are at each other's throats. Imagine spending time with any couple, you guys have fun but there are times when you end up in the middle of an intense argument and that makes you feel super uncomfortable, but you still love them (or maybe that's just the experience I have with every couple I hang out with), anyway, this is the naturalism I'm referring to. It also helps that writer/director Tamara Jenkins' script is, hilarious and really depressing and never do these two tones clash. The writing kept surprising me at almost every turn -laughs and tears come at the most unexpected moments and certain character decisions, although dumb, come from a place that's logical to them. There's one character, Sadie, (played brilliantly by Kayli Carter) that's kind of snobby but the way she acts around others and how the things she does comes from a place of love, makes her one of the most memorable characters I've ever come across. I really hope Carter gets recognition from this because she's fucking fantastic.
Something I also loved was the use of whites, greys, and blues. The world of the movie often looks cold and matches the hardships of the people we follow. It was a beautiful touch to set it in autumn and having the season reflect the biological clocks of two main adult characters. It reminded me of how effectively the movie "Another Year" (one of my favourite movies) used its seasons to convey tone and character psychology. Situations feel desperate and sad but there's the hope of spring and I love where the story ends up.
One thing I have a minor problem with is this one scene with Sadie that she mentions but we never see. For a moment, it confused me and made me question what she said but it was quickly cleared up. It's a very minor issue I have and that scene in particular stood out to me.
Overall, I thought Private Life is one of the most beautifully constructed stories ever. It feels intimate, but not in an overly romantic way. I love the characters, I love the performances, the script, the direction, the visuals -the whole shabang. If you're looking for a realistic and intimate dramedy, this is where you want to be. Fucking amazing movie!