Sundance ‘12: Hello, I Must Be Going review
Amy Minsky (Melanie Lynskey) is recently divorced 35 year old photographer who, in a state of depression, moves back in with her parents so she can put her life back together. But living back at home proves to have more than its own share of stresses involved including what amounts to basically reverting to her teenaged self. Her parents (Blythe Danner and John Rubenstein) are supportive but not entirely present for her and the house sterile and incomplete, undergoing major renovations, with jackhammers buzzing away at all hours. Amy is constantly nudged by her family to clean herself up and buy a dress which she finally does for a dinner party with her parents friends where she meets their 19 year old son, Jeremy (Christopher Abbott). Jeremy’s mom believes he’s gay - he’s an actor and she wants to be accepting - but he and Amy instantly share an attraction and begin a secret love affair. Sneaking out of her parents house to see a 19 year old boy is probably the last thing she would have imagined herself doing even a few months earlier.
The contrast between feeling like you’re an adult and suddenly being treated - and finding yourself acting - like a child again is something that probably most young adults deal with at least a few days a year when they go home for the holidays. And admittedly, it’s a very strange contrast. Seeing old friends, you may find yourself falling into old habits before trying to remind yourself ‘I don’t act like this anymore, I’ve changed.’ Amy runs into an old acquaintance from high school who invites her out to drinks with the girls which ends with Amy being coerced into drinking herself sick. (One of the best lines in the movie comes out of this scene.) Directed by Todd Louiso (“Love Liza”) and featuring music by Laura Veirs, ‘Hello’ doesn’t always work - some of the supporting characters are a little too shrill and broad and it shares certain DNA with countless other indie dramedies that make it feel a little bit anonymous - but it’s worthwhile for Lynskey’s performance alone. It’s always great to see a perennial supporting player get their role in the spotlight and Lynskey is such an appealing performer she makes you want to overlook some of the films other flaws.
Check out my interview with actress Melanie Lynskey at The Playlist/Indiewire
