Hello, My Name is Doris
Starring: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Tyne Daly, Beth Behrs
Directed by: Michael Showalter
Rated: R
Doris is at a turning point. Her mother has just died. She works hard at a job that no one notices. She's stuck in a routine life. One day, a young employee named John (Max Greenfield) begins working at her company. Doris develops a crush on him immediately. As she tries to learn more about John, Doris begins to learn a lot about herself.
If you're looking for a quirky indie comedy: Hello, My Name is Doris is perfect for you. This is a unique film that blends a few genres including comedy, drama, and coming of age. It's a comedy that is genuinely funny. There are so many pathetic comedies out today that just aren't funny. However, this one genuinely made me (and the other people in the theater) laugh many times.
Incorporating layers of comedy and drama, Sally Field keeps our attention as the film's lead character. At times, Doris' quirky personality is hilarious. Other times, her pursuit of John is awkward. Later in the film, we see she is struggling with deep personal issues. All of these elements make up a really interesting and well-developed character. Sally Field plays Doris excellently.
Max Greenfield is John, Doris' crush. John becomes a good friend to Doris. Through that friendship, Doris experiences opportunities that she never had in her youth. While it's easy to write off John's character as a crush, I think the film was trying to convey the fact that Doris was searching for something in her life. John is symbolically the youth she never had.
Similar to 2015's The Intern, Hello My Name is Doris is able to include different generations and relate to them all in an effective way. Characters span 13 to 60 years-old and they're looked at realistically. I would definitely recommend Hello, My Name is Doris. It's a refreshing comedy with great acting and an engaging story. You'll leave the theater with a smile on your face.
My Rating: 8/10