You Hurt My Feelings is a World Premiere from the Sundance Film Festival about family and trust. Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep) is working on her latest book. When she overhears her husband Don (Tobias Menzies. The Crown) tell her brother-in-law he does not like her new work, it sends her life into a tailspin.
Louis-Dreyfus adds another strong performance to her already impressive resume. She is unsurprisingly funny, but it is her insecurities and frustrations that make her so appealing to audiences. All of Beth’s sideways glances and snarky comments make her relatable. She is so charming because we know her. The rest of the cast are also fun to watch. Menzies is the loving husband who does not understand why his wife is so upset with him. Don and Beth also have a great relationship, the type of couple that are so in love it makes the rest of the world sick.
You Hurt My Feelings does not have a traditional antagonist. There are no deep dark secrets (aside from Don’s opinion about Beth’s book) or villain to overcome. Writer-director Nicole Holofcener works with the everyday emotions every person has to deal with. This can be off-putting for those looking for a tangible struggle.
Which is not to say that there is nothing going on in the film. The slice of life plot examines the lives of people who suddenly find out they do not have everything figured out. The best moments of You Hurt My Feelings come in the wry remarks (“Isn’t it weird when your doctor dies?”) and seemingly inconsequential interactions. Everything adds to the feel of the world.
You Hurt My Feelings is a funny and sentimental watch. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is magnificent while the supporting cast is great all around. In a cinematic world filled with ear-splitting special effects and out of this world characters, it is a refreshing look at people and the world they are trying to live in.
The Sundance Film Festival takes place from January 19 -29. Full lineup can be found HERE
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