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:

Catherine Keener, Brenda Blethyn, Troy Ruptash

3 wins & 14 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

handmade wallpaper | cigarette smoking | coma | watching tv | insecurity | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Emily Mortimer revealed to Allure magazine that after her full-frontal nude scene, a fan offered some unsolicited advice about grooming her natural pubic hair. And not in so many words: "A stranger came up to me and shouted, 'Got to do something about that bush, girl,'" says Mortimer. "Then I got people saying, 'It was so brave of you to grow it' and 'Was it a merkin?' I had that it was earthy to not be that bothered, then my husband told me that actually, it wasn't that sexy." Then she added " Frankly, I'm bored by talking about pubic hair or a lack thereof. Just as I don't find Brazilian waxes "creepy," I don't find a lack of one offensive. It seems to me that the argument should be dead and buried by now: People simply have different tastes when it comes to bikini-area grooming."

---

Goofs

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

---

Quotes

Elizabeth Marks: How's Bill?
Michelle Marks: I don't know why he even married me.
Elizabeth Marks: You were pregnate

---

Connections

Referenced in Dinner for Five: Episode #2.13 (2003)

---

Soundtracks

Parts & Accessories
(2000)
Written and Performed by Josh Rouse
Courtesy of Rykodisc

User Reviews

Brilliant and Subtle

When I first saw Walking and Talking, Nicole Holofcener's previous film, I didn't realize at first what a brilliant piece of work it was. My experience with Lovely and Amazing was exactly the same. It is only later that it becomes clear how expertly the relationships between the characters are illuminated and with what originality she has constructed a story. Lovely and Amazing is an examination of a family of women and their complex relationships with themselves and the men in their lives. The women in Lovely and Amazing are real people. They are frequently horrible to each other and sabotage themselves just like real women. They are also capable, like real women, of moments of intimacy and insight with each other.

I believe Nicole Holofcener is the most talented indie filmmaker out there at the moment. Walking and Talking is one of my all time favorite films, and Lovely and Amazing just confirmed her status in my eyes as an insightful storyteller. Audiences deserve more films that achieve this level of excellence, and I hope Nicole Holofcener has the chance to deliver them.

Details

Official Sites:

Lions Gate [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Nicole Holofcener

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$91,910, 30 June 2002

Gross USA:

$4,222,923

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,677,852

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blow Up Pictures, Good Machine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1