Julia Louis-Dreyfus Straddles Genres Beautifully in You Hurt My Feelings

Relationships are tricky.  There is a constant negotiating process that permeates on both sides while trying to maintain some sort of self and dignity individually and as a couple.  There’s nothing worse than when your better half inquires how you are feeling and once you  share their response is “…there is nothing I can do with that information.”  Now THAT is the classic definition of You Hurt My Feelings,

In writer/director’s Nicole Holofcener’s latest film of the same title, Beth (Julia Louis-Drefus), a once award-winning novelist find her long-standing marriage suddenly upended when she overhears her husband Don (Tobias Menzies),  give his honest reaction to her latest book. It bears the question, how much honesty is allowed before becoming ingenious or hurtful?  When we ask our husbands or boyfriends if they think we are fat – do we really want to know or do we want the lie?

This acting ensemble is bananas! Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tobias Menzies have a chemistry that is delicate, yet totally engaging to behold as their characters realize  insecurities lie within each other and within the confines of their chose profession.  One scene where Beth is made painfully award that her students have not read her book, she is yet faced with another moment of dishonesty that is somehow hilarious and not cruel.  Yet, when Don comes to grips about his therapist skills based on one’s couples desire to be reimbursed you realize just how off the rails things could possibly turn.

These office scenes are crazily entertaining mostly due to Holofcener’s writing and directing, and brought to life through the amazingly gifted comic timing of Amber Tamblyn and David Cross.  Their sessions will have you on the floor and talking back to the screen.  Then, there’s the off-centered rooted timing of Michaela Watkins as Beth’s sister Sarah who rounds out this cast of perfection.

You Hurt My Feelings is acerbic perfection with heart and realism that will make audiences walk away being just a little more considerate when considering an answer to a question that could change dynamics forever.  Is it worth it?  Only time will tell, but this film is totally worth the time and effort.