Stay the Night
Saw this movie last night. It’s from 2022. Sweet, simple story that feels like a modern day “Before Sunrise.” Filmed in Canada and takes place over one night. Grace has just lost a promotion and Carter, a major hockey player, has just been dropped from his team. The two meet and spend the night together and what unfolds is truly beautiful. Their conversations and interactions felt real and genuine. The actors had good chemistry. There were moments where the lower budget nature of the film was more evident in the script or acting, but that didn’t detract from the film and almost made it more endearing to me.
Catch and Release
After watching “The Five-Star Weekend” recently, I was reminded of “Catch and Release,” a movie I have loved since its release in 2006. Like FSW, it also stars Jennifer Garner and Timothy Olyphant and has a similar premise; a woman navigating grief after a sudden loss. I love the setting of this movie. It makes me want to move to Oregon. And the depiction of friendship and grief are so touching. It is a sweet tender film with a solid side romance. I also love Kevin Smith’s character in this film. Highly recommend and you can see it on Netflix right now.
The Other Bennet Sister
One of the best shows I’ve seen this year! A beautiful story that brings us back to the world of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ but focusing on the 5th Bennet sister, Mary (the one with, gasp, spectacles). She was raised in comparison to her “beautiful” sisters and has grown up feeling very other in the world. She moves to London and through her experiences there, she meets people who see her and love her, just as she is. They don’t care that she wears glasses, says what she thinks, or reads books, in fact most of them love her for just those reasons. Sometimes a different location brings a total shift in our perspective. I loved every minute of this show.
Dying for Sex
A beautiful story about a woman dying and simultaneously figuring out who she is are, what she likes, and learning how to not give any fucks (while having a few). It is a nice representation of a person working through trauma and highlights the power and love of female friendship. I laughed, as much as I cried. Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate are a perfect duo! Their chemistry and connection drove the show. And while the show is sexual, it isn’t salacious or even traditionally sexy most of the time. It’s a lot more kink than penetration. Think “All Fours” more than “Heated Rivalry.” In the show, Molly, Michelle William’s character, upon finding out she’s dying of cancer, leaves her husband, who has difficulty having sex with her without crying or feeling like she’s fragile. Molly asks her best friend, played by Jenny Slate, to be her person while she’s dying and then sets out on a sexual awakening journey. What Molly discovers is that the best sex, often comes (pun intended) when we know who we are, what we like and are able to accept ourselves without judgement. It’s not always pretty or socially acceptable, but it’s the only path that leads to genuine self-love and true happiness. Because in sex, and in life, we can only have true intimacy and connections when we can be authentically ourselves, even if what that looks like, isn’t what you’ve been taught to think is appropriate or the right way to be. To me, Molly’s sexual escapades and journey was her therapy. It was beautiful. As a therapist, there were a lot of references to Parts work and healing our younger selves, while unburdening from the protective parts that don’t allow us to love ourselves or others without judgement and criticism. You can find the show on Hulu.
