Enough Said - A warm and charming film from Gandolfini and Holofcener

It may be most notable for featuring one of James Gandolfini’s last screen performances but this warm, charming film is also one of the most gently rewarding experiences I’ve had in a cinema this year. It’s a perfectly judged romantic comedy from Nicole Holofcener (Lovely And Amazing, Please Give) that I could have happily continued to watch had it been an hour or two longer.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (TV’s Seinfeld, Veep) plays Eva, a forty something, divorced masseuse who meets also-divorced Albert at a party. Their initial meeting is awkward but the two of them are sufficiently interested in each other to go on a first date. The date is a success, the relationship develops and all is going swimmingly until Eva learns that Albert just so happens to be the ex-husband of one of her clients, Marianne (Catherine Keener). Unaware of their burgeoning relationship, Marianne spends much of her massage sessions bad-mouthing her ex-husband.

It’s at this point where any lucid thinking individual would probably end their massage sessions but Eva’s human and perversely she seems to enjoy hearing all about her new boyfriend’s worst habits. Before long, Eva is berating Albert in front of their friends for the very behaviour that Marianne ultimately found so unappealing.

The plot holds few surprises but the pleasure in Enough Said comes from watching two wonderful performers in Louis-Dreyfus and Gandolfini perform writer-director Holofcener’s thoughtful and frequently laugh-out-loud dialogue. Their initial courtship, a sequence that lasts not much more than five minutes is worth the price of admission alone and their chemistry and easy-going charm is a joy.

Dreyfus’ performance is full of warmth and subtle comic touches and it’s great to see an actress who has been involved with so much quality television over a number of years finally get a big screen role her talent deserves. She’s more than matched by Gandolfini’s low key, somewhat against type, performance. His Albert is dignified and funny and is enough to make you wish he’d starred in more films of this ilk. The supporting cast is strong too with Keener, Toni Collette and impressing and Tracey Fairaway makes a real impact as Eva’s daughter.

It’s playing as part of the Laugh strand at the festival but if you’re unable to catch it, it goes on nationwide release on 18 October. It’s worth every penny.