Enough Said

Film (2013)

With Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Eva), James Gandolfini (Albert), Catherine Keener (Marianne), Toni Collette (Sarah)

Albert (James Gandolfini) is an overweight and reserved, but endearing, film archivist and Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is a diligent masseuse with a quick wit. Both are divorced, single and lonely, and they both have daughters going off to college. They begin to see one another, with evolving results, but there is a twist of common connection that challenges the relationship.

The title of this film does not really do it justice. Actually, not enough is said, especially at the end. One would have to know the plot to get the joke, but I actually thought that the title of another current film – Thanks For Sharing – would have been more appropriate. In fact, if the titles of the two films were switched, both would be far better off – and Enough Said would have been a way better title for that film than for this one.

Eva and Albert are good talkers and their relationship thrives on a gentle interchange of wit. One of the great charms of Albert’s character, as written and as Gandolfini plays him, is that one does not expect him to be a verbal or witty creature, but he is. The playoff between Eva, who is a fast talker and Albert who is a slow, but cagey one, is engaging and the charm of their relationship depends upon our seeing how the two different rhythms of their humor connect and begin to dance together.

There is certainly an evocation of other feelings throughout, so this is not just a banter fest. But, in the end, I really wanted them to say more than they did, to wrestle with the issue at hand, not just sashay into the presumed resolution; it is the kind of communication that the narrative promise of their relationship deserved.

Both Gandolfini and Louis-Dreyfus are very good here. It would have been easy to see this encounter just as Tony Meets Elaine, but because they are both good actors they are able, miraculously, to effectively turn the audience’s attention away from those long-established TV personas on Seinfeld and The Sopranos.

Of course, it is heartbreaking to know that Gandolfini died of a heart attack before this film was released, and that adds a sweet, touching and difficult subtext to the film. He is not at all bad as a romantic lead. He has a gracefulness in his ordinary guy body and understated demeanor which gives particular charm to his portrayal. Unfortunately, truly not enough was said in the long run by this talented actor struck down far too young.

Louis-Dreyfus is perfect in the somewhat frazzled but sensuous and vulnerable department and her repertoire of facial expressions makes it possible for her to sculpt what might otherwise be a not so entertaining discussion into an energetic and interesting one. Gandolfini’s slower, broader strokes provide a very good background for Louis-Dreyfus’ more plastic and balletic gesticulations.

The surprise and the gag are not earth-shattering, but funny. The interactions with the teenage daughters shows the vulnerabilities of single parents about to become empty-nesters, but the theme about Eva and her daughter and her daughter’s close friend becomes a bit overworked. Catherine Keener and Toni Collette fill in their supporting roles decently.

The narrative idea is quite clever, but the writing itself is informal rather than sculpted. But the lead actors are very good and they manage to carry the lines even when there is not too much to hold onto.

– BADMan