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 [us]

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 Maltin on Movies: Hereafter (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Sail Away"
Composed by Steve Martin
Courtesy of Killer Tracks

User Reviews

No.1 Movie of 2010 So Far

'Please Give' wins my vote for Best Movie of 2010 So Far. It's the funniest film I've seen in years, and it also has depth, originality and intelligence.

It tells the story of two families in middle-class Manhattan, each dealing with a range of issues. One of the most prominent themes is death and dying, but somehow the film is not a downer. Ann Guilbert's portrayal of a cranky 90-year-old is laugh-out-loud funny, as is Sarah Steele's raw and honest depiction of adolescent awkwardness.

Amanda Peet also does stand-out work as a woman on the verge of middle age still struggling to be a pretty girl.