Landline

"Whatever happened do Jenny Slate?" (It would be understandable to ask that question – before 2016-2017.) "Isn't she the girl who accidentally dropped the f-bomb in her first appearance on Saturday Night Live and then got fired at the end of the season?" (Yes and yes.) "Has she even done anything since?" (Yes!) Slate was a stand-up comedian when she started appearing on TV shows in 2005. After her productive but ill-fated season on SNL (2009-2010), she really… came out of her shell. Slate and film director and editor Dean Fleischer- Camp (to whom she was married from 2012 to 2016) created the "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" books and short films, with Slate voicing the title character. She then appeared in several TV shows (some at the same time), including "House of Lies", "Parks and Recreation", "Kroll Show" and "Married". She then voiced more animated characters in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" (2011) and "The Lorax" (2012). Slate started really showing her talent as a feature film actress in 2014's "Obvious Child" and then… 2016-2017 happened. In 2016-17, she voiced major characters in the high-profile animated features "Zootopia", "The Secret Life of Pets" and "The LEGO Batman Movie". Later in 2017, she continued staking her claim to a prestigious film career in movies like "Gifted" and, the subject of this review, the comedy-drama "Landline" (R, 1:37).

Slate plays Dana Jacobs, a young NYC woman who finds herself at a crossroads. She's newly engaged to a kind, but milquetoast guy named Ben (Jay Duplass), but she reconnects with Nate (Finn Wittrock), an old flame from college, and she feels like she needs some time to figure out what she really wants. She leaves the apartment that she shares with Ben and moves back home, using the excuse that her younger sister, Ali (Abby Quinn), needs her. Ali is trying hard to be a hip chick and deciding where she's going to go to college, but what concerns her the most at the moment is her parents. She has come across some indication that her playwright father (John Turturro) is cheating on her mother (Edie Falco). As the two sisters try to get to the bottom of what their father is up to, they begin bonding as never before and Ali is able to help her older sister decide how to move forward in her life. Since this story takes place in 1995, a lot of the conversations take place over telephones mounted on walls, hence the film's title.

"Landline" is a heartfelt and humorous examination of life choices within the context of one family. (It is, however not to be confused with another 2017 movie with the same title and starring Matthew Aaron, Khalid Abour and Tom Arnold.) The later (and more widely distributed) "Landline" is well-written by Elizabeth Holm and well- directed by Gillian Robespierre (both of whom also did the same jobs and collaborated with Slate on "Obvious Child"). They give us a story that is well-paced, relatable, engaging and funny at just the right moments. The acting is excellent, especially by Slate who has maintained her excellent comic timing while emerging as a fine actress. Although the plot seems slight at times, it's strong on insight into issues of romance and family relations and makes for quality entertainment. "B+"

The story felt a little generic but the film's makers put their stank into it and made it fresh.

Felt almost felt like a Woody Allen movie he did not make because of all the cheating going on in it. The typical story of a family going through hard times. This particular tale revolves around two sisters who discover dad's stepping out on mom, but one of the sister should not throw bricks at glass houses. Did a good job of putting us in the 90s. It seems like there was no real need for the movie to have taken place in the 90s unless the filmmakers were really sold on the name of the film. You see the landlines in the film but they don't really do anything for the story, but there were a few funny moments (really just two) about being a teen in the 90s and the technology available to us.   The characters are really good and the actors give great performances as them, which is what really makes the movie over anything else.   Liked it.

http://cinemagardens.com

I was rather surprised by Landline. For one thing it's about two sisters and neither had an infectious disease neither was a serial killer, prostitute or wearing spandex in the Marvel Universe.

Just some real drama and although spotty here and there script wise there was some really very telling moments about the sisters here. The big deal in the film is that dear old dad is something of a 'man whore' I suppose you'd say. Played rather carelessly by fine actor John Turturro. The guy is honestly a bit of a slump.

More interestingly is the affair of the older sister Dana, played very nicely by actress Jenny Slate, she and her younger sister Ali, Abby Quinn are sterling as sisters, really sympatico.

The ending felt right as well with dad slumping in, I mean I don't see Harvey Weinstein catching a break!

Still, sisters rarely get to be shown on the big screen and here I liked the tough but knowing interplay between them. I'd of liked to see more of them if this were a series instead of a movie.

There is some drag however, a sort of malaise to the action that draws on too long. The film could have used a more savvy Editor, I hate to get tech with you here, I mean this isn't AFI... but the Editor is very, very important! Especially one who isn't swayed by a Director who is often a tad too close to the material.

Lastly is the time 1995, wow, I'd forgotten how cool it could be back then. It was great to see this decade again. Which is surprising to say the least!

See Landline, some of you may really hate it but I think many of you might like it too.

In 2017's mediocre New York family drama "Landline" Jenny Slate cheats on decent fiancée Jay Duplass (with Finn Wittrock) while her younger sister Abby Quinn (best performance here) continues rebelling against their parents: uptight careerist Edie Falco; & laid-back academic John Turturro (who may or may not be cheating himself). Co-writer (with Elisabeth Holm) / director Gillian Robespierre does an ok (though not best in class) job evoking the 1995 setting and balancing the story lines & tones (though it coulda been snappier with more humour woven into the drama). It's watchable enough fare (especially for the ladies) but sure won't pull up any trees.

Overall I give it two thumbs up. It was comical and witty.