FilmSnobReviews

Title: Landline
MPAA Review: R
Director: Gillian Robespierre
Starring: Jenny Slate, Abby Quinn, Edie Falco
Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins

What It Is: It’s 1995 and Dana (Slate) is having trouble in her marriage. Simply put she’s bored with her wishy-washy husband Ben (Jay Duplass). Dana’s younger sister Ali (Quinn) is going through some things but a lot of her angst is stemming from a possible fidelity issue in regards to her father Alan (John Turturro) cheating on her mother Pat (Falco). A fact that both girls found in the strangest way. Now they’re wondering if they should tell their mother as Dana ponders if getting with old friend Nat (Finn Wittrock).

What We Think: Director Gillian Robespierre is working with Jenny Slate for the second time. Previously they worked on Obvious Child which as you can read I enjoyed somewhat. I think this film is even better. Really! Everyone gives an amazing performance, which isn’t a surprise out of Slate at this point. She was the best part of Gifted and pretty good in Digging for Fire in a smaller role. She isn’t even the best performance though. No that belongs to young Abby Quinn. She’s revelatory.

Our Grade: B-, A great film! Once made be the sisterly bond of Slate and Quinn. To that, the whole family dynamic felt natural and like it belonged. I can highly recommend this particular film for anyone looking for a family film that’s not a family film. All of them feel real, which is a great thing. Gillian Robespierre is a great director and I look forward to whatever her next film is.  All in all, this is a great marriage of story, cast, and direction that is imperfect but good enough. If you cant find this one I think I’d be worth your time.