Film Review: YOU HURT MY FEELINGS (2023): Nicole Holofcener’s Film is Really Funny in Spots but the Plot Meanders a Bit

You Hurt My Feelings Review

You Hurt My Feelings (2023) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Nicole Holofcener and starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Jeannie Berlin, Zach Cherry, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Owen Teague, Bryan Reynoso, Trey-Santiago Hudson, Doug Moe, Lynnsey Lewis, Claudia Robinson, Kelsey Carthew and Clara Wong.

Nicole Holofcener’s new movie, You Hurt My Feelings, stars the incomparable Julia-Louis Dreyfus who runs away with the funniest performance of her career in the picture as a neurotic writer named Beth who finds herself at a crossroads in her life. Set in New York City, this movie may have a lot of appeal to people from the Big Apple and Woody Allen fans but may leave more mainstream viewers wondering when the plot is really going to get going. This new film is more of a slice-of-life picture and, as that, it doesn’t do a bad job at all in its presentation of its characters. However, the plot meanders with one too many awkward situations that end up playing as more pathetic than true-to-life.

Beth is a writing instructor and the film introduces us to some members of her class (Trey Santiago-Hudson, Doug Moe and Lynnsey Lewis play the most memorable ones) who are lovable misfits who have their own sob stories which will take flight in their writing during their interesting course. Particularly on point is when the class members admit they haven’t read their instructor (Beth)’s memoir. One of the students says he took the class because it was taught by the published author, Beth, but the pupil never took the time to read her book.

Tobias Menzies is the other star of the film. He plays Beth’s husband, Don, who is a therapist with an odd set of patients including a fighting couple wildly and energetically played by David Cross and Amber Tamblyn. Watch the scene where Tamblyn’s character, Carolyn, asks Cross’s Jonathan, to look at her while they talk. That’s another scene which feels truly authentic within the picture. Back to Don, though. One day Don and Beth’s sister’s husband (Arian Moayed) are out in a book store and Beth and her sister, Sarah (Michaela Watkins) overhear Don about how he doesn’t particularly like Beth’s new work of fiction. It’s bad enough Beth’s agent isn’t helping her much with the new project but Don’s disapproval truly hurts Beth’s feelings; hence the film’s title.

Owen Teague is super as Eliot, Beth and Don’s son who works in a pot store and is also a struggling writer. When Eliot breaks up with his girlfriend, Beth tries to speak sensibly to Eliot and, at one point, she suggests therapy for him but Eliot is 23-years old so thinks he’s too young for a therapist. Teague manages to make his character very plausible and is certainly a highlight of the film.

Also on board is Beth and Sarah’s eccentric mom (an intriguing Jeannie Berlin) who helps them out by giving them clothes for the homeless early on. Beth and Sarah volunteer to help the homeless in their spare time and give out sweaters, pants and things of that sort to those in need. Claudia Robinson and Kelsey Carthew successfully play two of the homeless people in need of clothes from our sisters.

Louis-Dreyfus is the quintessential neurotic woman and she is matched well with Menzies whose Don is also a bit offbeat. Don may not be the best therapist but he does what he can to try to sustain the best he can. Beth’s disappointment at Don’s disapproval of her work leads most of the plot in directions that aren’t always successful. Some of the film feels like it could have been tightened up with a stronger script but Holofcener’s movie is more interested in capturing the essence of everyday life rather than creating a strong story line to follow.

The ups and downs of Sarah’s husband’s acting career feels a little less intriguing than it could have been. Sarah is a well-written character and Watkins plays her to perfection. Sarah has a lot of charisma and that helps carry the movie through its slumps.

Certain scenes in You Hurt My Feelings will ring true for anybody who has ever wanted to be a writer or anyone who actually is a writer. There are some great scenes here. One, in particular, has Beth sneaking her book on top of a best seller in a bookstore to try to boost sales and the bookstore clerks hilariously notice. This movie is certainly intelligent but as a cinematic work of art, it feels like it bit off more than it could chew. Some of the movie doesn’t have the requisite emotional investment needed in order to care about some of the supporting characters. Are they even worth having in the picture?

Still, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has never been better. She makes Beth sympathetic and believable. Menzies is also strong in his performance as his character struggles with trying to not look tired anymore. This is the type of movie Woody Allen could have made in the latter part of his career but is certainly nowhere near the quality of Allen’s early neurotic masterpieces. It’s a close call but you could probably wait for streaming services to see this new picture. Sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings.

Rating: 6.5/10

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