Walking contradictions are not unique. People are often conflicted — saying one thing and doing another. Do as I say, not as I do. Even Polonius offered Laertes his fatherly wisdom when he advised, “To thine own self be true.” It’s often these internal conflicts that add a certain depth to a person’s character. The intermingling of right and wrong shape the human conscience and often inform the drama that colors life. This is the stuff that makes one’s personal world cinematic, the stuff that adds humanity and relatability to a movie character. Case in point: the character Kate in Please Give.

In the film, writer/director Nicole Holofcener expertly crafts the character played by Catherine Keener, exposing a woman whose occupation and personal interests conflict with her better senses. Set in Manhattan, married couple Kate and Alex (Oliver Platt) own a trendy furniture store and acquire their goods from the apartments of people who have recently died. At home, they’ve bought the apartment adjacent to theirs and are anxiously awaiting the passing of the elderly woman who lives in it so that they can expand their living space. Perhaps compensating for an otherwise insensitive/capitalistic lifestyle, Kate feels a deep sympathy (read, guilt) for those who appear to be in need and attempts to relinquish her guilt – whether it’s by offering money to the local transvestite bum or by handing out leftover food to anyone who “appears” to be homeless. Meanwhile, Kate and Alex must deal with their bratty teenage daughter who’s more concerned with some facial blemishes and keeping her eye on a kick-ass pair of jeans.

In a parallel plot, Rebecca (Rebecca Hall) works as a radiology technician who administers breast exams — but really acts as the level-headed, mature sister to Mary (Amanda Peet), another walking contradiction in her own right. Rebecca plainly questions Mary’s fake ’n bake tanning habits despite her working in a spa, giving facials and advising customers on skin health. The two plots intersect as Rebecca’s and Mary’s grandmother is the same woman who occupies the apartment that Kate and Alex are aiming to commandeer, making for some awkward moments between Rebecca, who loves her grandmother; Mary, who doesn’t; and the next-door neighbors who are just waiting for the irritable old woman to die.

Though the themes of human contradiction and sympathy for others hang heavily over the film, another omnipresent topic is that of aging and fading beauty — one that Holofcener previously uncovered in her 2001 feature Lovely & Amazing, which also stars Keener. Though Please Give does not feel as “complete” as the 2001 release, both films are carefully guided by human insights that feel very true and honest. Holofcener and her casts have the ability to strip down a character in order to expose certain truths that aren’t always beautiful to look at, but are the core of what guides their emotions and basic human interactions. They’re what makes them tick — what makes the audience fall in love or hate with the character — what makes the character love or hate herself.

Please Give maintains a steady pace throughout its 90-minute runtime, but, at times, feels slower — evidence to the fact that nothing truly spectacular happens in the film, except for some insightful character studies. The quiet activity is only underscored by the subtle beauty of its characters and revelation of its themes.

Though all principal actors execute their roles well, it is the veteran actor Ann Guilbert who is the most entertaining as Rebecca’s and Mary’s near-death grandma. Guilbert skillfully plays the part in a way that enables the audience to both love her and hate her in one fell swoop.

Though the film’s narrative structure seems blurred at times (was there a real beginning and end, or was the entire thing just one big “middle”), it accomplishes what it sets itself out to do. As Holofcener said, that is to “illustrate these kinds of contradictory moments that make us human.”

Please Give recently screened at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival and is in limited release beginning today.

Limité Rating: 4/5

Director: Nicole Holofcener

Writer: Nicole Holofcener

Cast: Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Ann Guilbert, Sarah Steele

Genre: Comedy, Drama

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 90 min.

Release Date: April 30, 2010 (limited)

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