Worn-out families, middle-age romance and warmhearted comedy sets the foundation for “Enough Said.” All of the characters are tired and complacent. Most are broken hearted or, at the least, passionless. It is a balanced comedy regarding love in a post-romantic state of life that is never flashy or presumptuous. This is a film of moments. Nicole Holofcener writes and directs with ease a film with enough charm to carry out of the theater.
Against the backdrop of Los Angeles, Eva (Julia Louise-Dreyfus) is a home-visiting masseuse now ten-years divorced. At a party, she finds a new client and friend in the divorced and lonely Marianne (Catherine Keener). Eva also meets Albert (James Gandolfini), a lovable teddy bear of a guy. Quickly bonding over sending their daughters off to college and the lack of attractive people at the party, Eva and Albert soon start dating.
Eva’s friendship with Marianne grows, but she realizes that Albert is the ex-husband Marianne is always complaining about. This complicates both relationships as Eva begins to find the flaws of Albert all the more appalling through Marianne’s lens. The relationship grows strenuous as Eva talks about the relationship with everyone but Albert.
It sounds like another romantic comedy driving in the bruised and familiar dribble. But Dreyfus and Gandolfini exude a spark rarely seen in cinematic romances anymore. They counteract each other in unflappable banter and awkward moments. Holofcener’s natural lines and seemingly effortless script allow their winsome acting to glow. Human characters take the movie into an endearing take on middle-age affection and family with embarrassing but cute dating jitters and fumbling. What makes this movie so palpable is its commitment to imperfect characters. These characters come across as real people you could meet at a Christmas party with common shortcomings equally adorable as annoying.
Underneath the romance is a story about the complications of family. Eva’s daughter feels betrayed as one of her friends seemingly becomes the daughter Eva longs for. Eva’s married friends irk each other and talk about what life would be like if they were single. Eva and her ex-husband carry on as if they would make a great couple. And Marianne’s gripes against Albert are toxic for Eva’s perspective on Albert. Though Albert is the most sympathetic and genuinely nice character, no one is faultless.
Ultimately, “Enough Said” is a comedy about disillusionment. It tracks how endearing traits in others can become poison in a relationship. Be it from a husband’s annoying insistence to buy cookies to a daughter’s cultural snobbishness, “Enough Said” aims to remind us what humans are: disappointing. But it continues to show how important these disappointing people are. Relationships — with friends, daughters, spouses and exes — bring joys and challenges that can be taken for granted until they are gone. It is evident that Holofcener loves these characters, and she invites you to love them too.
It cannot be left unsaid how incredible James Gandolfini performs. In his penultimate role due to his death, it is amazing to see the once bone-breaking gangster from “The Sopranos” now play the big softy Albert. As Tony Soprano, he won three Emmys, a Golden Globe and an AFI Actor of the Year Award, as well as countless nominations. His work marked him as one of the biggest personalities in film and television with roles ranging from comedic to violent. And his quiet charm in this film will tease many into wondering what his ended-too-soon career could have looked like after a role like this. But this modest part is evidence of a diverse and skilled actor, as it should be. Holofcener allows every detail to shine bright. Even in their messes, “Enough Said” shows how loveable people can be.
