Lovely & Amazing (2001)

Self-esteem and insecurity are at the heart of this comedy about the relationship between a mother and her three confused daughters.

Director:

Nicole Holofcener

Writer:

Nicole Holofcener

Stars:

Troy Ruptash, Emily Mortimer, Brenda Blethyn

3 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Troy Ruptash	...	Photographer (voice)
Emily Mortimer	...	Elizabeth Marks
Brenda Blethyn	...	Jane Marks
Raven Goodwin	...	Annie Marks
Catherine Keener	...	Michelle Marks
Ileen Getz	...	Saleswoman
Kristen Dalton	...	Saleswoman
Romy Rosemont	...	Dr. Debbie Waldman
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Lorraine
Brooke Allison	...	Pool Administrator
Jennifer Zehnder	...	Teased Girl
James Le Gros	...	Paul
Ashlynn Rose	...	Maddy
Clark Gregg	...	Bill
Dreya Weber	...	Donna

Storyline

The Marks family is a tightly-knit quartet of women. Jane is the affluent matriarch whose 3 daughters seem to have nothing in common except for a peculiar sort of idealism. Setting the tone of vanity and insecurity, Jane is undergoing cosmetic surgery to alter her figure, but serious complications put her health in real danger. Former homecoming queen Michelle, the eldest daughter, has one daughter of her own and an alienated, unsupportive husband. Elizabeth, the middle sister, has an acting career that is beginning to take off, but is timid and insecure, and habitually relieves her trepidation by taking in stray dogs. Only the youngest sister, Annie, an adopted African American 8-year-old, stands a chance of avoiding the family legacy of anxious self-absorption. If only her intelligence and curiosity will see her through what promises to be a confusing adolescence. Each of the women seeks redemption in her own haphazard way.

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Plot Keywords:

insecurity | self esteem | homecoming queen | surgery | african american | 

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Taglines:

If you're hoping for the perfect family don't hold your breath.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Lions Gate [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Untitled Nicole Holofcener

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£35,483 (UK) (2 August 2002)

Gross:

$4,186,931 (USA) (20 September 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blow Up Pictures, Good Machine, Roadside Attractions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

While swimming in the backyard pool, Annie's hair goes from being in pigtails/not in pigtails throughout the scene.

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Quotes

[Cindy gives Elizabeth an aromatherapy candle as a gift]
Elizabeth Marks: This is so sweet of you.
Cindy, Elizabeth's Agent: Nah, I'm re-gifting. It has self-esteem and tranquility.
Elizabeth Marks: I'm so happy for it.

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Connections

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Made Ya Mine"
(1998)
Written by Graham Wiggins, Ian Campbell and David Motion (as Dave Motion)
Performed by Dr. Didg
Courtesy of Hannibal Records, A Rykodisc Label

User Reviews

Refreshing & Inspiring

The thing that makes this movie so - I have to say it - lovely & amazing is what it doesn't do: it doesn't attempt in any shape or form to be commercial, it doesn't compromise its integrity or the integrity of its characters in any way, and it doesn't try to be cute or clever or witty or deep. It simply invites us into the characters' lives and lets us share them for a couple of hours. No judgment, no big overblown speeches, no hystrionics. No car crashes, no dead bodies, no funerals. No artifice, no heavy-handedness, no contrivances.

Nicole Holofcener achieved the same effect in Walking & Talking, which had the same 'effortless' feel to it, and the always-wonderful Catherine Keener is in both, as well. The cast also includes Brenda Blethyn, Emily Mortimer and Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko himself!) and everyone is superb, creating beautifully nuanced and subtle characterizations that ring entirely true.

I trust Holofcener (even though I can't pronounce her name yet) - she doesn't seem like she's going to sell out and make anything remotely commercial anytime in the future, her vision is far too pure for that, which makes her lovely & amazing in my book.