Walking and Talking

I have been watching W&T for 5 years now. Every chance I get. I know it by heart. I know that sounds silly or obsessive, but I feel like these people really exist. They are the people who live in your apartment building, they are the people you see renting movies, shopping. These could be your friends, lovers, bosses, neighbors. This movie is so real, yet there's not one boring scene or quality about it. I LOVE Keener and Corrigan. I want to see them in another movie together. This IS my all-time favorite movie. It has encouraged me to write as well. I would love to see Katherine Keener, Kevin Corrigan, Anne Heche, Liev schriber and also Parker Posey in one movie together. It would be my dream. It would be so great! If you love dialog driven movies, you'll love this one. Also pick-up 'Kicking & Screaming' and 'Kicked in the Head'. They all are endearing, sweet and funny. REAL, but Untimately idealistic You'll love it. I hope for more Nicole Holofcner movies.

There's not an unusual amount of walking in this flick, but it has all the talking you'd care for. So if movies that are in the 'thirtysomething' mold aren't to your liking, don't stop here. (The star, Catherine Keener, even looks like she'd fit in perfectly on that TV show.) On the other hand, if you like nothing better than a film that revolves around characters and their relationships, I don't think you'll go wrong giving this one a try.

How you feel about the film will of course be determined by how much you care for the characters, and I found them likeable enough to give it a positive rating. Amelia (Keener) is the confused one here, who doesn't want any more than a platonic relationship with her longtime male friend, and can't figure out why she can't get a worthwhile relationship going with any other man. Her best friend from childhood is Laura (Anne Heche) who seems to have everything that either of them wants as far as a relationship goes. Laura is soon to be married, which doesn't help Amelia's frustration any.

The movie doesn't ever get overly serious about things and stays enjoyable throughout. Keener is fine in her role and Heche seems to do well in every film she's in. This is a strong first-time effort by the writer/director, Nicole Holocener. I think she made the film she set out to do. It will be interesting to see if in the future she has anything more or different to say.

"Walking and Talking" is a slice of life flick which focuses on two thirtyish female best friends (Heche & Keener). A dialogue-intensive plotless situational relationship light comedy, "W&T" offers good performances, a lively script, and a variety of situations with which thirtyish guys and gals will be able to identify. An enjoyable way to wile away 1.5 hours.

Nicole Holofcener has a distinct eye for everyday events. 'Walking and Talking' is the first slice of life film from the same director who's made gems like 'Friends With Money', 'Lovely and Amazing' and 'Please Give'. All films mainly focus on the relationships of women. The center of 'Walking and Talking' is the friendship between Amelia and Laura. Holofcener and her actors Catherine Keener (a regular in the director's films) and Anne Heche do a superb job in depicting a friendship that is not always about hanging out and partying.

What Holofcener portrays is a bond that has changed throughout the years for these two women but become stronger than before. They are open to each other, honest, judgmental without worrying about hurting each other. Feelings do get hurt but at the same time it is this honesty that is the strength of their relationship and what gets them through the tougher times.

The director has cast Catherine Keener in all her feature films and has done so in distinct roles. In all these films, Keener's character is searching for satisfaction whether it's in marriage, friendship, human nature. The characters, though similar in many ways, also have distinct qualities especially in the way they cope with their problems and the people surrounding them.

Of course, needless to say, Keener fits all roles to the T, turning in some of her best works. Anne Heche definitely holds her own. Liev Schreiber is adequate. Kevin Corrigan is great. Todd Field does a fine job too.

On the technical side, it's nothing too flashy. Everything flows smoothly. The score gives it the right level of whimsical touch. The locations are beautiful yet simple.

In the end, 'Walking and Talking' is a universal human story about friendship. Holofcener did a terrific job telling such a story in her first film and she has continued to do so in her following features.

Catherine Keener (as Amelia) spends the opening scenes putting down everyone in her life. She doesn't like best friend Anne Heche (as Laura)'s engagement ring. She calls video store geek Kevin Corrigan (as Bill), who wants to date her, "The Ugly Guy". She repeatedly calls ex-boyfriend-turned-friend Liev Schreiber (as Andrew) an ass----, for enjoying telephone sex. Her cat has cancer. And, her kitchen sponge stinks.

Intriguing character study, from writer/director Nicole Holofcener. Ms. Keener's "Amelia" seems to have a lot going for her; she is funny and attractive, and, she manages to keep friendships while being excessively judgmental. Things may have started going wrong for her when roommate Heche moved in with boyfriend Todd Field (as Frank). Mr. Field becomes another supportive friend, however. Although Keener is cranky throughout, she eventually proves to be an interesting, supportive friend.

The performances are all terrific. Mr. Corrigan may be most memorable, as the horror movie geek Keener labels "The Ugly Guy"; watch for an outstanding scene as he overhears a message on Keener telephone answering machine. Some back-hair might have helped him look more ugly, though. Then, again, hairier Rafael Alvarez does seem prove excessive hair isn't so ugly. Wonderfully ironic to see Randall Batinkoff (as Peter) play a waiter so well, and an actor so poorly. "Walking and Talking" manages to be a story about meaningful friendship without being terribly meaningful.

****** Walking and Talking (1996) Nicole Holofcener ~ Catherine Keener, Anne Heche, Kevin Corrigan