Holstra
Boring, long, and too preachy.
Grimossfer
Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%
Humbersi
The first must-see film of the year.
Chrysanthepop
Nicole Holofcener has a distinct eye for everyday events. 'Walking and Talking' is the first slice of life film from the same director who's made gems like 'Friends With Money', 'Lovely and Amazing' and 'Please Give'. All films mainly focus on the relationships of women. The center of 'Walking and Talking' is the friendship between Amelia and Laura. Holofcener and her actors Catherine Keener (a regular in the director's films) and Anne Heche do a superb job in depicting a friendship that is not always about hanging out and partying.What Holofcener portrays is a bond that has changed throughout the years for these two women but become stronger than before. They are open to each other, honest, judgmental without worrying about hurting each other. Feelings do get hurt but at the same time it is this honesty that is the strength of their relationship and what gets them through the tougher times.The director has cast Catherine Keener in all her feature films and has done so in distinct roles. In all these films, Keener's character is searching for satisfaction whether it's in marriage, friendship, human nature. The characters, though similar in many ways, also have distinct qualities especially in the way they cope with their problems and the people surrounding them.Of course, needless to say, Keener fits all roles to the T, turning in some of her best works. Anne Heche definitely holds her own. Liev Schreiber is adequate. Kevin Corrigan is great. Todd Field does a fine job too.On the technical side, it's nothing too flashy. Everything flows smoothly. The score gives it the right level of whimsical touch. The locations are beautiful yet simple.In the end, 'Walking and Talking' is a universal human story about friendship. Holofcener did a terrific job telling such a story in her first film and she has continued to do so in her following features.
wes-connors
Catherine Keener (as Amelia) spends the opening scenes putting down everyone in her life. She doesn't like best friend Anne Heche (as Laura)'s engagement ring. She calls video store geek Kevin Corrigan (as Bill), who wants to date her, "The Ugly Guy". She repeatedly calls ex-boyfriend-turned-friend Liev Schreiber (as Andrew) an ass----, for enjoying telephone sex. Her cat has cancer. And, her kitchen sponge stinks.Intriguing character study, from writer/director Nicole Holofcener. Ms. Keener's "Amelia" seems to have a lot going for her; she is funny and attractive, and, she manages to keep friendships while being excessively judgmental. Things may have started going wrong for her when roommate Heche moved in with boyfriend Todd Field (as Frank). Mr. Field becomes another supportive friend, however. Although Keener is cranky throughout, she eventually proves to be an interesting, supportive friend.The performances are all terrific. Mr. Corrigan may be most memorable, as the horror movie geek Keener labels "The Ugly Guy"; watch for an outstanding scene as he overhears a message on Keener telephone answering machine. Some back-hair might have helped him look more ugly, though. Then, again, hairier Rafael Alvarez does seem prove excessive hair isn't so ugly. Wonderfully ironic to see Randall Batinkoff (as Peter) play a waiter so well, and an actor so poorly. "Walking and Talking" manages to be a story about meaningful friendship without being terribly meaningful.****** Walking and Talking (1996) Nicole Holofcener ~ Catherine Keener, Anne Heche, Kevin Corrigan
Alan J. Jacobs
I do believe that Anne Heche is a severely underrated actor. She stands out in every movie that I've seen her in, including this one. She switches from sympathetic and lovable to borderline nuts very quickly, and then switches back again. No matter what one knows about her wacky private life, she really knows how to turn into a believable and sympathetic character on screen. In fact, all the actors in this piece are quite good. Another standout is Kevin Corrigan, as the geeky clerk at a video store. The movie has good dialog, but the plot is sentimental, ending with a presumably happy wedding. It's essentially about the love between two female friends, and how it is affected when one of the friends becomes engaged. The one who is engaged (Anne Heche) becomes wrapped up in herself, and engages in behavior likely to end the engagement and the friendship. The friend (Catherine Keener) dates an inappropriate man (Kevin Corrigan) after breaking up with a man (Liev Schrieber) for an unidentifiable reason. The fiance, Todd Field, is stolid and lovable throughout, although a bit off-center, which is why Anne Heche has her doubts.See it for the actors--they were good in 1996 and they're good now.
LITP (lostintwinpeaks)
A lovely little movie, with fine performances, a real feel-good indie movie. Catherine Keener (so vastly different in "Being John Malkovich"!) is wonderful, playing the insecurities of her character to great effect (the scene where she stalks the video store clerk is fabulous, as is her reluctance to put her cat down). Anne Heche is - as always - on great form; and Liev S is very good too. A lovely little movie, often a little too low-key for its own good. It never demands too much from the viewer and as a result reaps all the awards. Recommended viewing. Enjoy!
