Related News
Lynskey shines in 'Must Be Going'
September 23, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MELANIE Lynskey is the kind of character actress who improves films. Whether it's been in "Away We Go," "Win Win," "Up in the Air" or even something frothy like "Sweet Home Alabama," she delivers a performance that feels accessible, unexpected and true.
After years of strong supporting work, she steps into a lead role effortlessly in the intimate dramedy "Hello I Must Be Going" as a recent divorcee who finds herself unemployed, depressed and living with her parents in the cushy suburb of Westport, Connecticut.
Director Todd Louiso and writer Sarah Koskoff's film may feel like a familiar exploration of a solipsistic 30 something enduring an existential crisis that reaches some pat conclusions, but it's also both funnier and deeper than expected.
Lynskey stars as Amy Minsky, who's been moping for months in the same ratty T-shirt around her parents' waterfront mansion. But she finds herself making an unlikely connection with Jeremy (Christopher Abbott of "Girls"), the 19-year-old stepson of her father's potential client at an important dinner party. An actor since childhood, Jeremy is more mature than his years, as evidenced by the confidence with which he carries himself and the casual way he dismisses their age difference. And Amy, conversely, is less mature than hers, as evidenced by the girlish way she sneaks out of the house for moonlight hookups and worries they'll get caught.
Clearly, this can't last. These relationships never can in movies like this. And naturally, she will blossom because of it, but her transformation is such a joy to watch and her mixture of vulnerability and self-deprecation is so charming that you won't mind the film's conventions. This is Lynskey's movie but Abbott is alluring as well. He has to be for the film to work. He's sweet and idealistic but also sexy and slightly mysterious.
The supporting performances are strong all around, especially from Blythe Danner as Amy's well-intentioned but clueless mother.
"Hello I Must Be Going" offers lots of insightful moments and true-to-life details like the smug girls who peaked in high school and never left town.
"Hello I Must Be Going" comes from a sad, honest place, which is precisely what makes it funny.
After years of strong supporting work, she steps into a lead role effortlessly in the intimate dramedy "Hello I Must Be Going" as a recent divorcee who finds herself unemployed, depressed and living with her parents in the cushy suburb of Westport, Connecticut.
Director Todd Louiso and writer Sarah Koskoff's film may feel like a familiar exploration of a solipsistic 30 something enduring an existential crisis that reaches some pat conclusions, but it's also both funnier and deeper than expected.
Lynskey stars as Amy Minsky, who's been moping for months in the same ratty T-shirt around her parents' waterfront mansion. But she finds herself making an unlikely connection with Jeremy (Christopher Abbott of "Girls"), the 19-year-old stepson of her father's potential client at an important dinner party. An actor since childhood, Jeremy is more mature than his years, as evidenced by the confidence with which he carries himself and the casual way he dismisses their age difference. And Amy, conversely, is less mature than hers, as evidenced by the girlish way she sneaks out of the house for moonlight hookups and worries they'll get caught.
Clearly, this can't last. These relationships never can in movies like this. And naturally, she will blossom because of it, but her transformation is such a joy to watch and her mixture of vulnerability and self-deprecation is so charming that you won't mind the film's conventions. This is Lynskey's movie but Abbott is alluring as well. He has to be for the film to work. He's sweet and idealistic but also sexy and slightly mysterious.
The supporting performances are strong all around, especially from Blythe Danner as Amy's well-intentioned but clueless mother.
"Hello I Must Be Going" offers lots of insightful moments and true-to-life details like the smug girls who peaked in high school and never left town.
"Hello I Must Be Going" comes from a sad, honest place, which is precisely what makes it funny.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
