Nicole Holofcener is a master at writing the deeply layered character. In a lesser writer's hands, we would hate the characters in PLEASE GIVE. Under her direction, they shine. We can't help but like them. They're vain, self-centered, mean, self-delusional yet we can't stop watching and, even in some cases, rooting for them.
We have a couple that's waiting for their elderly neighbor/tenant to die so they can enlarge their apartment. Holofcener makes us understand their, what could be construed as, morally reprehensible behavior, getting us to follow them throughout the film's journey. In this way, she mirrors life. Who amongst us is totally pure or wicked? We all have moments we're not proud of or characteristics we wish we could purge. Holofcener is able to bring these complexities to the screen. As we examine and judge them, the film makes us examine and judge ourselves.
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