122 reviews
Both the leads have such an endearing quality to them, their relationship seems so natural that you forget they are acting, the movie feels so real and makes the viewer become a part of the couple's life. Great acting, great writing on a couple's journey to become parents while holding on to their relationship. Simply endearing.
- meme-36137
- Oct 4, 2018
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Great actors and very appropriate casting of Giamatti and Hahn. I've loved this hysterical Katherine Hahn character ever since the series I Love Dick. Such a treat to see them together, and so natural! There really wasn't one moment where I felt like I was outside of the film looking in. It really captured (how I imagine!) this scenario to be, particularly the unsexiness of trying to get pregnant over and over. I also enjoyed the rebellious commentary from their niece on their art driven lifestyle, reminded me of crap I would've said in my first years at uni, haha. The focus on fertility, pregnancy, IVF cycles et al. can be a lil heavy and will probably deter the male audience (meh) but it is a film that I'd rather watch alone or with friends - not a date movie! Probably unrelated but something something like this actually happens in the film too...
Obviously a film about infertility is going to carry a weight, and that should be expected by the viewer. That being said, this was marketed on Netflix as a comedy, so the frustration by viewers who wanted a funny feel good movie is understandable. I did not go into this expecting a comedy, so I was not disappointed. I enjoyed Private Life. The aesthetic of Richard and Rachel's apartment and style was visually appealing, and I think the various moods of the story were conveyed well. Richard and Rachel, and every character, are flawed people, portrayed as such in what I consider a very accurate way. The seemingly endless loop and obsession Rachel has with getting pregnant was hard to watch because you can see her pain, and as a viewer you want to reach out to her and pull her away from the tunnel vision she has, not because of Kathryn's acting (which is superb as usual). Sadie's personality is grating at times, but that's because she is a real, dimensional person who has facets and flaws. The relationship between her and Richard and Rachel is what you're meant to focus on. The relationships between all characters is what drives the story. In the end, this is just a look into the lives of a couple who are struggling immensely with infertility. It's a snapshot of what their lives have become now. The ending scene, where they sit in an Applebee's several states over, waiting for a donor who will probably never show up (yet again) further drives this home. There's no happy ending or message in here. This is just a story that starts and ends in the middle. Don't watch this expecting gut busting laughs, or a happy ending, don't watch this if you "adore New York" and then complain that it takes place mostly in an apartment. This isn't about New York, it's about infertility
- audreythejunglegirl-724-669637
- Oct 14, 2018
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The entire cast turns in wonderful performances. The script is infused with droll humor, and the multiple instances of awkwardness come off as genuine, bolstered by sensitive pacing. The storyline feels a bit worn and redundant at times, but this might have been intentional, considering the subject matter. In contrast, many contemporary American films strive to include way too many plot points. The city scenes and interiors made me miss New York -- the production design was quite good. There are a few subtle surprises in the script which worked well. Highly recommended.
- Tail_End_Charlie
- Oct 5, 2018
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I found myself laughing at several moments. Very smooth and the characters were likeable. A difficult subject which was kept in perspective. The irony in the movie may be lost on some people and it did drag on longer than needed, but better than a lot of your 'franchised' drivel out there.
- leftbackdug
- Oct 6, 2018
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- amanda-15127-18211
- Nov 1, 2018
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You may wonder what some people have to fight with. A couple who wants to have kids. Seems simple enough. But then you have to account for different things: the age of the couple, if they want to adopt or "make" a baby themselves. And then everyday drama and stress begins, with many relationships being strained.
Now that may not sound enticing to you and that would be ok. But if you like dramas in general and like real life portrayed in film, this is a little gem of a film. Funny, sad, inspiring, draining, annoying, uplifting ... many things you and the characters will go through. Brilliantly acted out by everyone involved. And what a great ending ... not going to be liked by everybody - but then again you couldn't please everyone anyway.
Now that may not sound enticing to you and that would be ok. But if you like dramas in general and like real life portrayed in film, this is a little gem of a film. Funny, sad, inspiring, draining, annoying, uplifting ... many things you and the characters will go through. Brilliantly acted out by everyone involved. And what a great ending ... not going to be liked by everybody - but then again you couldn't please everyone anyway.
- christellasharleen
- Dec 8, 2019
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The unmeasurable level of sacrifice that many women go through in an effort to have a rewarding career and loving family was inconceivable to me before I watched a Private Life. The strain such an effort can likely have on a woman's husband, or life partner, proved even harder for my mind to conceptualize. Even being without kids, myself, and crossing an age when life tends to fold on a single decision, I found it nearly impossible to wrap my head around the reality of the process and accept that it often drains everything short of a soul out of those trying to create life. Then came this film. Perfectly scripted, brilliantly performed, and intimately directed, this 2-hour Indie caused me to feel as I was eavesdropping on the private moments of a middle-aged couple going through its greatest crisis. Now it's the thing I can't get out of my head.
- wonderstone_entertainment
- Aug 29, 2021
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- elishawin2005
- Oct 9, 2019
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An interesting portrait of a couple who tries everything to fulfill their dream and become parents but forgetting what their relationship is all about in the process. A very personal film that handles about a very personal topic, wonderfully put in scene and written by Tamara Jenkins who finally presents us a follow up project after "The Savages" and it is just as realistic and natural. To make a rather sad and to some extends tragic story a dramedy thanks to very well chosen comedic moments was the right decision.
She found two great actors who both know how to do drama and comedy and the mix of that. Paul Giamatti absolutely shines and gives one of his best performances in ages. The quality of his performance goes back to his "Sideways" days. Kathryn Hahn once again proves her talent as one of the most underrated versatile actresses of her generation. Glad she got to show her acting powers in such a juicey role. John Caroll Lynch also gets to show that he not only can plays psychopaths and losers. Molly Shannon is wonderful in a supporting role and commands every scene she is in. Another great performance by another great and underrated actress.Kayli Carter is a great new discovery and she will go places.
An intimate portrait of a marriage that is put to a test. Absolutely recommendable.
- Alexander_Blanchett
- Oct 6, 2018
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Many people nowadays go through process of conceiving and the actors done a great job to make the story realistic, but I felt like something is missing... ending was bad.More drama or better music to picture this painful truth.
- pantovicmilicans
- Dec 19, 2018
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- danyellmarlatt
- Oct 15, 2018
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Once again, Kathryn Hahn delivers some stunning work. The entire film is very effective and very well scripted.
- Red_Identity
- Jan 6, 2019
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- stella-georgoudi
- Nov 24, 2018
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It is so rare for me to enjoy every single aspect of a film. The acting was superb. The writing was top shelf. Wonderful cast. Good sets. Enjoyable soundtrack. And I usually complain about two hours being too long but, in this case, I didn't mind at all and didn't want it to end. I don't remember when I've enjoyed a movie this much; there's so much junk out there. The only minor point I didn't like, and it's trivial, is putting a title on different scenes. Like a headline on a sub-text. I think I would've understood the transitions just fine without the titles.
- jessewriter
- Oct 5, 2018
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I feel bad about the parents who don't have child. And this film narrated the complications of IVF process in practical way. The acting is so real I am go ahead with the film twice. Thanks
It was extremely shocking to me that an actress - who probably have never done IVF - can act this good to show how frustrated , sad , anticipated a woman can be going through all this agony . I still remember the faces of people in the waiting room at IVF clinic , the hope rising and falling .
The movie is the only one that made me cry and laugh at the same time .
- noosah_saleh
- Oct 15, 2018
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Maybe I was expecting more...the happy ending...but what I got was let down. Too much left to your imagination. People are so funny, right? Confusion...maybe the next person will think it had a happy ending.
- janem-29722
- Jan 23, 2021
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- Nikkers980
- Oct 15, 2018
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- leandrolopesnaruto
- Nov 26, 2018
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Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti are both clever, intelligent actors, who have an intimate understanding of their characters so they are utterly believeable in anything they do.
This film is no different, you can believe fully in Rachel and Richard as brought to life by these two, and you can almost forget you are watching a film, and instant find yourself flowing smoothly through the life of two people with one intent.
I found the story almost pedestrian at the beginning as the pace seemed slow but in fact the film flew over, all 2 hours of it, and when it did I wished there was another 2 hours of it.
I totally believe in Rachel and Richard and I love that Paul and Kathryn can bring that sort of performance to me.
- Boristhemoggy
- Oct 22, 2018
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An interesting and humorous story with Paul "sadsack" Giamatti in his typical role of a hapless and ineffective husband trying to start a family at an over-the-hill age. It is a fun film you should enjoy for its full length.
Maybe my beef with this movie was the way it was marketed. It was sold as a "hilarious" comedy and the trailer features ALL the mildly humorous lines in the entire movie. Netflix even puts it in their comedy category. What this movie really is, is a presentation of two individuals with an unrelenting need to have a child but waited beyond their best reproductive years to do so. This drive takes them through endless gauntlets of expensive high-tech medical procedures, adoption applications,hiring surrogates...it is exhaustive watching two people with no other goals their in life but to reproduce. One thing it definitely isn't is funny. It's actually quite sad. And just when you think that maybe they are starting to realize just how destructive this addiction is, they dive right back into it again. The acting is excellent by all. The dialogue is a bit unrealistic at times, maybe a touch of Woody Allen but without the funny. Everyone speaks so well but are dumb as posts when it comes to this baby drive. If you want to spend 2 hours being depressed with maybe some forehead slapping anger thrown in, go ahead, but don't say I didn't warn you.