You Hurt My Feelings

Available on Amazon Prime

Nicole Holofcener has forged a reputation for writing and directing the sort of everyday, overtly mature dramas that typically do not get bums on auditorium seats, at least not in the age of blockbuster/franchise filmmaking. Nonetheless, her authentic and worldly approach to storytelling is something that viewers can derive plenty from.

Her latest sees her reunite with the ever-dependable Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who was excellent opposite the late James Gandolfini in Holofcener’s 2013 sleeper hit Enough Said, who joins the equally brilliant Tobias Menzies in playing one half of a married couple whose supposed domestic bliss masks personal and professional unfulfillment.

When this union is rocked by a seemingly inconsequential act of betrayal, You Hurt My Feelings evolves into a parable on the virtue of honesty and, more specifically, the consequences that come with it being absent within a relationship. In that sense, it is a highly perceptive film that any (honest) couple will find relatable, although many (myself included) will find its narcissistic central characters more than a little out of touch.

While the authenticity of Holofcener’s stylings means that proceedings can meander into mundanity at times, the performances of Louis-Dreyfus and Menzies (as well as Michaela Watkins and Arian Moayed) and Jeffrey Waldron’s handsome depiction of NYC ensure this remains a rewarding watch for the most part.