Please Give (2010)

In New York City, a husband and wife butt heads with the granddaughters of the elderly woman who lives in apartment the couple owns.

Director:

Nicole Holofcener

Writer:

Nicole Holofcener

Stars:

Rebecca Hall, Elizabeth Keener, Catherine Keener

7 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rebecca Hall	...	Rebecca
Elizabeth Keener	...	Cathy
Elise Ivy	...	Marissa
Catherine Keener	...	Kate
Josh Pais	...	Adam
Sarah Steele	...	Abby
Ann Morgan Guilbert	...	Andra (as Ann Guilbert)
Amanda Peet	...	Mary
Oliver Platt	...	Alex
Griffin Frazen	...	Shopper
Reggie Austin	...	Shopper
Scott Cohen	...	Dr. Lerner
Paul Sparks	...	Blind Date
Lois Smith	...	Mrs. Portman
Thomas Ian Nicholas	...	Eugene

Storyline

Two families, sort of neighbors in Manhattan, cross paths as they navigate marriage, parenthood of a teen, ennui, a first date, and end-of-life care. Rebecca and Mary are sisters; their cranky 91-year-old grandmother's neighbors, Kateand Alex, run an upscale retro-furniture business, and will expand into her flat after she dies. Rebecca is quiet, without a boyfriend until a patient at the clinic where she works introduces her grandson. Mary is acerbic, stung by a recent breakup. Kate looks for meaning in her life, wondering if she should volunteer. Alex, too, is at loose ends. Their daughter, Abby, has zits and teenage moods. What does it mean to be good?

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | teen | new york city | new york | apartment | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexual content and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 2010 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Feelin' Guilty

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$118,123 (USA) (30 April 2010)

Gross:

$4,033,268 (USA) (15 October 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Classics, Likely Story, Feelin' Guilty

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kate is shown reading a book, 'Assassination Vacation', by Sarah Vowell. That author appears in a brief but credited role as a shopper. The actress playing Kate, Catherine Keener, is also a featured voice in the audio book of 'Assassination Vacation'.

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Quotes

Kate: I'm not spending U$ 200 on a pair of jeans for my teenage daughter when there are '45' homeless people living...
Abby: What does that have to do with anything? They don't want jeans!

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Connections

Featured in Richard Roeper & the Movies: Halftime Report: The Best and Worst of 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Tones of Meditation"
Courtesy of Killer Tracks / NYB/NJJ 86 Track 18
Written by Clinton Rusich ASCAP

User Reviews

A solid character drama

"Please Give" is an independent, character drama. What I loved about this film was the interesting array of characters that it presented.

The characters that were on display for us to watch were all well written, fully-developed, interesting and funny as they each struggled with their moral dilemmas. I found myself being able to relate to all of them in one way or another.

The writer also leaves enough to your imagination so you can decide how much these characters evolved or learned over the course of the film. As you think about them, you find yourself applying these lessons to your own life.

The lack of plot leaves you wanting more because the best movies are usually able to deliver both plot and great characters. Although this is not one of the top echelon of movies, the compelling characters makes this better than most films you'll be able to find today.