In every type of relationship, most people have encountered the experience where sharing their opinion could hurt someone they hold dear. That is precisely the premise of this humorous and delightful film, where a writer values her husband’s opinion of her work but is floored when she accidentally discovers the truth. Featuring exceptional performances by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, and Michaela Watkins, You Hurt My Feelings is an absolute delight.
With one very modestly successful and very personal book in her bibliography, author Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has struggled to follow up her previous achievement with a follow-up piece. When she finally completes her latest project, she trusts her husband, Don (Tobias Menzies) to give his honest opinion. Worried about hurting her feelings, Don, a therapist struggling with his career, applauds her latest effort. However, after accidentally overhearing a conversation between Don and her brother-in-law Mark (Arian Moayed), she discovers that her husband’s honest take on her new book is not as positive as she was led to believe.
Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener, You Hurt My Feelings deals with the various intricacies of relationships. It addresses the issues faced between romantic couples and the relationships parents can have with their children. The result is an often hilarious and realistic take on the subject matter with plenty of laughs, tension, and some heartfelt messages.
Working with the most impressive script and solid direction, the cast members bring their A-game, and the audience is all the better for it. While this isn’t exactly a movie that demands to be watched in a cinema, it is so good that it doesn’t matter that it can also be enjoyed at home. Regardless of how one decides to watch this film, it is a great movie that people can enjoy well and with which they will relate.