Indie Gems: Private Life

I can give you this gift

Rachel (Kathryn Hahn) is an author who has been undergoing fertility treatments with her husband, Richard. (Paul Giamatti) Like many going through that, it's taking its toll and the outcome doesn't look good. It puts a lot of stress on their relationship. Then Richard's niece Sadie (Kayli Carter) comes into the picture. She's recently dropped out of college and she's not related to Richard by blood (she's his step sister's daughter) so she offers to be their surrogate. 

Kathryn Hahn has been turning in solid comedy work for years, but she's rarely mentioned with it comes to some of the dramatic things she's done. She was great in Afternoon Delight, which this does slightly remind me of, but she turns in her career best here. 

This film perfectly balances sweet and sad. It's hard watching anyone go through fertility, even more so when a marriage ends up on the rocks and families fight during it. But Carter's Sadie is such a bright spot in all of this mess. She's perfectly likable. The three leads all have great chemistry.

It does tend to fall into that stereotypical boho territory. Sadie's not a love interest so she can't be a manic pixie dream girl but she kind of has a few of those attributes. That didn't bother me personally, I tend to like movies that use that trope, but I know it's not for everyone. Though I really urge everyone to check out this, especially for Hahn who if there's any good in the world will at least get close to an Oscar nom for this. 

Grade: B+

Watched on: Netflix

Memorable Quote: "If the pipe gets clogged, you don't get Mountain Dew. You just get seltzer." - Dr. Dordick (Denis O'Hare)