You Hurt My Feelings - A Movie Review

Never keep anger inside or you’ll never get anywhere.

Premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, You Hurt My Feelings is a thought-provoking film. Beth, a determined writer, is ready to publish her novel. By accident, she overhears her husband harshly criticizing her latest book. Instead of confronting the problem, Beth avoids the situation, straining their relationship.

You Hurt My Feelings skillfully encompasses slice-of-life themes, immersing viewers in an authentic portrayal of everyday experiences. Some reviews have complained about the lack of story in this movie. While I agree that some story aspects were slow, You Hurt My Feelings delivers a poignant exploration of human connection.

Julie Louis-Dreyfuss is the queen of comedy. With her impeccable comedic timing, she never fails to deliver an exceptional performance. Though her characters embody unlikable traits, Lous-Dreyfuss embraces the roles. Misguided by her husband’s words, Beth’s choice of disregard for the situation doesn’t help matters.

The true essence of the film shines through its exceptional performances by Louis-Dreyfuss, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, and Arian Moayed. Exploring the intricacies of dynamics, the film delves into the balance of power, the consequences of misunderstandings, and the potential of healing.

However, the film falls short in terms of character development, leaving viewers yearning for a deeper understanding of their backgrounds. Exploration of their backgrounds could have provided the opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

Owen Teague delivers a compelling performance as Eliot, the son of Beth and Don. He grapples with finding a career path and navigating relationships. The film should have delved into his experiences.

As someone in their 20s, the film could have shed light on the unique struggles faced by individuals in their 20s, and not just overlap them with the adult's everyday problems. In my opinion, Eliot’s potential storyline would have offered a more profound reflection of the issues young adults encounter in today's world.

In a separate story from Beth’s, Don is a therapist to an over-dramatic couple or a man who has something rude to say whenever the sessions conclude. Amber Tamblyn and David Cross were a riot in their scenes, constantly bickering about their marriage.

Nicole Holofcener has intricate dynamics in her direction of simple stories. Holofcener’s direction shines through the story. Keeping the narratives focused on character dynamics created an intimate atmosphere, forming more of an emotional impact.

Based on reviews, viewers don’t like the simplicity of the story. A lot of the film is one conversation after another. Admittedly, I got bored listening to these conversations. While they stayed on track with the main topic at hand, in parallel to Louis-Dreyfuss’s time on Seinfeld, random conversations transpired.

The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the emotional boundaries of the characters. You need to be patient with this film because the moral is not too difficult to realize. Having conversations is all a part of life. You can’t go a day without having one. This movie is about learning to communicate with loved ones easier.

Since most of the film is all talk, the film has its funny moments. Audience members laughed at the comical deliveries, especially from Louis-Dreyfuss. It made up for the slow portions of the movie. I enjoyed You Hurt My Feelings. It had relatable themes for all age groups.

The film explores the complexities of human relationships and the lasting power of forgiveness. We can only make amends if we are willing to change our methods. If you have a chance, see You Hurt My Feelings once it is streaming. Couples will find it relatable.