Written, directed, and starring Jennifer Westfeldt, this is her first foray into directing. Westfeldt became an indie star with KISSING JESSICA STEIN (2001), which she co-wrote with Heather Juergensen and directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld. Among the cast was Westfeldt’s real-life boyfriend, Jon Hamm.
In FRIENDS WITH KIDS, Westfeldt has put together a group of very talented comedians to surround her character. But this is Westfeldt’s movie and it is structured as a love letter to herself.
First time directors should not direct a movie starring themselves. Where is the objectivity? Where is the care given to the other actors and actresses? When you are directing yourself, who says: “Let’s do another take” and “Show me more emotion.” How about: “You’re doing that Diane Keaton thing from ANNIE HALL again.”
Westfeldt should have asked her friends to recommend a quick-witted co-writer. I was expecting some clever lines and an edgy movie. How about real life? Since Westfeldt is 41 years old and she and Hamm have not married or have children, FRIENDS WITH KIDS would have been more interesting if it were closer to the reality she knows.
All four of Westfeldt’s ensemble cast were in BRIDESMAIDS. Hamm and Wiig were sensational in their bedroom scenes. Wiig and her co-writer Annie Mumolo are genius.
Universal is looking for THE HANGOVER PART II numbers. The sequel’s domestic total gross was $254,464,305.
But Westfeldt was not interested in following her friend Wiig’s successful template. Julie is just so beautiful, kind and nurturing, her failure at finding the right man is questionable. Jason, on the other hand, is no Michael Fassbender.
Thus, they will never become like Leslie and Alex or Missy and Ben.
Julie was the pretty girl in the group, now MJ has the men’s attention – she’s younger, sexier, thinner, and on Broadway! Julie becomes jealous and suddenly realizes she is in love with Jason.
In a scene we have been waiting for, Julie declares her love to Jason. He looks astonished and says MJ is moving in with him. He goes one step too far – he tells Julie he is not sexually attracted to her. Saying that to a woman buries a man forever. He evaporates, he turns to dust.
Member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association: www.bfca.org/ and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society: www.lvfcs.org/
Victoria’s weekly column, “The Devil’s Hammer,” is posted every Monday.
http://www.fromthebalcony.com/editorials.php. If you would like to be included on Victoria’s private distribution list for a weekly preview, just email her at masauu@aol.com.
Victoria Alexander lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and answers every email. You can contact Victoria directly at masauu@aol.com.