Enough Said (2013)

Enough Said is the cinema equivalent of a giant hug. Featuring the late James Gandolfini in one of his last roles, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the ever brilliant Toni Collette, it tells the story of Eva (Louis-Dreyfus) and Albert (Gandolfini). The pair are in the same situation; both divorced with children leaving for college, they wonder how they’ll cope without their daughters and how they’ll fill their time. After meeting at a party, they strike up a romance which is, in this critic’s humble opinion, one of the loveliest romances on screen this year.

One of the reasons Enough Said is so enjoyable is the characters are ‘real’. Instead of being glossy, made up and perfectly put together, Eva has fly-away hair and dresses like a normal person. Albert is a self confessed slob who doesn’t own nightstands, picks onions out of guacamole and has an inability to whisper. They have a wonderful chemistry that can’t fail to put a smile on the face of the audience and provides much of the humour of the film. Theirs is a chemistry that goes beyond actors playing characters. It appears to be so natural that you can’t help but fall in love with them as a couple and root for them the whole way through the ninety minutes you’re with them. Toni Collette plays Sarah, one of Eva’s close friends, who has an almost dysfunctional marriage and a habit of moving her furniture around. She and her husband Will (Ben Falcone) share dialogue that teeters on the brink of comedy and drama, but always falls over to comedy. Little snipes like “I’m filling a hole” are countered with “I’ll fill your hole” and it’s the delivery that really makes it less serious than it could be.

Enough Said is one of the loveliest films of this year. It’s a warm, happy place that’s like being wrapped in a blanket and given a mug of hot chocolate. The chemistry between Eva and Albert is something to behold, and all the twists and turns of the story make it an engaging film to watch. The subplot involving Eva’s daughter is interesting (and relatable I’m sure), and that’s where this film excels. Yes, it’s about an older generation, but it’s still accessible to younger generations partly because it’s a timeless story and partly because it’s just so wonderful. A definite must see if you want joy in your life.