‘You Hurt My Feelings’ Review – Deeply Profound And Funny

Directed By: Nicole Holofcener

Starring: Julia-Louis Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Owen Teague, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, David Cross

Plot Summary: A novelist’s longstanding marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband giving his honest reaction to her latest book.

For anyone who is ready to put the final nail in the coffin of mid-budget adult-driven dramedies, you can safely put away the hammer. One only needs to see A24’s You Hurt My Feelings, directed by Nicole Holofcener, to know that this form of cinema is still very much alive and well. In the wake of a decently received memoire about her life and trauma, writer Beth (Julia-Louis Dreyfus) is facing challenges in her professional life, as she is on the cusp of writing her first work of fiction. However, things seem to unravel when she accidently overhears her husband, Don (Tobis Menzies), giving some unfiltered opinions about her book. Don is also grappling with being “off his game” as a therapist. Things between them begin to spiral as this resentment festers and builds, until it reaches a fever-pitch. Meanwhile, Beth’s sister, Sarah (Michaela Watkins), and her husband, Mark (Arian Moayed), are facing a similar crossroads both professionally and creatively.

Getting that perfect balance of humor, heart and introspectiveness is difficult. Thankfully, the uber-talented Nicole Holofcener is at the helm, and she effectively blends these elements into a satisfying and funny film. The comedy employed is sharply written and has a wry sardonic edge to it. While yes, the film is highbrow, it never is so stuck-up that it risks alienating its audience. It recalls the same brand of witty humor from Hollywood films of old, yet with a modern update. What you get is something akin to Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage yet done as a lighthearted farce.

Mercifully, the dialogue doesn’t feel overly written, and coupled with sublime performances, every line has an organic quality. Moreover, the narrative is richly drawn from painfully relatable stuff, and one suspects that it will spark a lot of conversations amongst partners. Holofcener also does a great job at cleverly mirroring these issues within both couples, and it is interesting to see how each deal with it in similar and different ways. Wisely, everything is handled with a warmth that keeps you invested, along with the incredibly engaging characters. Not to mention at a very brisk 90 minutes, everything is paced nicely.

You would be hard pressed to find a better cast, lead by the brilliant Julia-Louis Dreyfus, who deserves any and all the awards for her performance as Beth. Dreyfus is able to expertly navigate the humor as well as the pain in a way that feels so utterly effortless. Of course, she knows comedy and is able to just nail the comedic timing. Tobias Menzies, who made a huge splash playing Prince Philip in The Crown, is also great and, much like Dreyfus, is able to find the subtext between the text and bring what could have been a pretty standard husband role into something full of life and beauty. The supporting cast is all amazing, and there really isn’t a sour or lackluster performance to be found here.

You Hurt My Feelings is a subtle yet deeply profound film. It’s able to plumb the deep well of complex relationships in a way that never seems cold or detached. Yet, it proclaims one simple yet beautiful truth, which is: a relationship is based on a solid foundation that can weather any storm. So, if you are maybe burnt out on big blockbusters, this is a nice refreshing palate cleanser.

You Hurt My Feelings is currently playing in theaters courtesy of A24. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20GWk5cWPBs]