Hello, My Name is Doris

On Sunday I saw Hello My Name is Doris, starring Sally Field and Max Greenfield.

Having a workplace crush is fantastic—you plan your outfits carefully, worry about your makeup and get excited when circumstance forces you into their presence. And you flirt. Shamelessly.

That's the predicament Doris (Field) finds herself in when new hire John (Greenfield) arrives in her office. Though they're both unmarried, there's a slight problem: they're about 30 years apart (Doris is older).

John accepts Doris's awkward advances with grace, as he's somewhat oblivious to her intentions and they soon become genuine friends. No matter how absurd her methods, Doris does succeed in getting close to him and his contemporaries. And it gives her a new lease on life, having just lost her mother and currently battling a serious case of hoarding.

Field is alternately hilarious and heartbreaking as the star character—and "character" is a good term for her. Doris makes unintentional fashion statements with her individuality. Doris does her job and she does it well; but at this point it's just habit. Doris doesn't mind riding the ferry to work every day. It takes her back to the house she grew up in, which is where she still resides. She's someone I could see myself being friends with (or turning into) later in life.

Greenfield is undeniably charming as the aloof object of affection. His kindness and gentle nature make it easy to see why any woman would be smitten. The fact he doesn't realize it makes him all that more appealing.

So, when all of these factors come into play, however unconventional it may seem, you can't help but root for a Doris & John happy ending. Maybe it could work? They could probably have a few good years? There's nothing wrong with an age difference as long as the chemistry is there, right?

I won't spoil the ending for you, but I will say it was both difficult to watch and ultimately satisfying. The attachment you'll have to Doris by the end will make you hurt when she hurts and rejoice when things go her way.

Only a good movie could do that.

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Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

On Sunday I saw the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.

Love her or hate her, no one can dispute the trails Ms. Rivers blazed for female comics. This film does a dynamic job of tracing her path to success and showcasing her present fight to stay relevant.

Always self-deprecating and unafraid to push the envelope, Joan burst on to the scene with great support from legend Johnny Carson. Her frequent appearances on The Tonight Show led to her reign as Carson's permanent guest host; her decision to depart and do her own talk show on Fox ended their friendship. It also put a stop to all of her appearances on NBC until her recent stint on The Celebrity Apprentice, a reality contest, which by the way, she won.

Part of the charm of Joan Rivers is that she has no shame. At age 75, she will take any endorsement deal or commercial offered to her because she knows at the end of the day she needs a paycheck. She lives an extravagant life, but there will be no doubt in anyone's mind by the end of watching this that she hasn't earned it.

Though the overall essence of the film aims to spotlight her toughness, there are moments where you catch her sensitivity and heart: speaking of the business associate she may have to fire; delivering a meal on Thanksgiving to a sufferer of MS; commenting on a heckler after a show who was angry about a deaf joke she made. She's a thick-skinned lady, but that doesn't negate her enormous heart.

She talked openly of her husband's selfish suicide after the demise of her talk show, but it's clear she doesn't dwell on it. She picked up her life after the tragedy and kept going--both for herself and for daughter Melissa, who has become a celebrity in her own right.

Of course the film also provides us many glimpses of Rivers' hilarious stand-up routines, but to me the funniest moments were her impromptu bits of commentary behind the scenes.

This film is simply an inspiring pleasure to watch.

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