I watched this movie because I saw Chris Messina in "The Giant, Mechanical Man" and liked him in that a lot. I liked this movie for lots of reasons. It's laugh-out-loud funny at many points. I love the whole exploration of the analyst/therapist community, and the penultimate scene in which all the analysts & therapists that you've seen throughout the movie come together. That was a hoot--so funny! I thought Chris Parnell and Jason Alexander were particularly good--really good--in their performances as therapists (probably the best thing I've seen both of them do outside of SNL and Seinfeld, respectively). Jason's line in that penultimate scene truly nails/identifies Ira's worries. I mourned and groaned over Ira's repeated failures to realize the treasure he's stumbled upon in Abby. Abby's honesty, openness, and care for everyone was really funny and well-written, but also personally refreshing, which rightly attracts--and ultimately makes insecure--Ira. Abby's point (on the day they meet) about marriage in today's world is a valid one--essentially, she says: "Since 50% of all marriages end in divorce, and we seem to really like each other, why not just get married and give it a go? I mean, we have just as great a chance as anyone else at succeeding at it, right? Why go through seven years of dating and the wasted energy of engagement and a big wedding? Let's just get married." Good point! I loved that the movie explored many typical pains of marriage in a good sampling of couples, especially in regard to faithfulness and unfaithfulness. The question of coping with a spouse's unfaithfulness (and the guilt and fear experienced by the one who's in the midst of unfaithfulness) is explored a good bit across the couples. Jennifer Westfeldt is stunning in her performance. It's so well done. Her character is so bright, without being fake, and so kind, that even though she's not a knockout in looks (though not ugly, certainly), her personality made you think, "This is the most beautiful woman ever!" Her character is a testament to the fact that sincerely caring about people can really make a difference (and even be transformative) in their lives. This is presented very humorously, but as the viewer, you also get the point. Also, Westfeldt does a masterful job in showing hurt and insecurity, especially in the scene where all the in-laws and they have gathered for the annual Halloween photo. The significant part I didn't like was the movie's conclusion--its final answer to the question, "What is the use of marriage?" Ugghhh. Wrong answer. How about, instead, the answer that the whole movie has built up: "Do like Abby: love and trust your spouse, and be kind and concerned for them"? How about, "Provide security for someone else by being committed to them no matter what"? This is the thing for which Ira and Abby both long throughout the movie--to have the other be committed to him/her no matter what. In Parnell's office, that's the great pain. Ira and Abby's conclusion about marriage at the end doesn't follow what the movie has more-aptly demonstrated, and leaves you saying, "Huh?" Their conclusion was so disappointing and empty.
Review of Ira & Abby
