Four Female Friends in their Forties
Friends with Money
Review by Ross Anthony

This is one of the most honest films I've seen in a while. It portrays four female friends in their forties and their interactions not only among themselves but also with their husbands (and/or boyfriends). The banter between spouses doesn't only ring true, but also entertains. Some, but not all, of the friends enjoy large bank accounts. This offers up yet another interesting dimension into the mix.

All four story lines compel. The filmmakers are quite successful at winning us over as an audience. We care about these people. We feel we are with them at dinner or at lunch or in the car chatting. The scripting/dialogue is top notch. And the direction as well. The cast is sensational, so it's no surprise that the acting is perfect.

Eventually, it's Jennifer Aniston's character's struggle to find a place in the world that becomes an indirect focus for this production. And while the film's emotive arc is quite faint, (it's much more of a slice of life piece), it climaxes with an ever so subtle resolution with that character.

In its honesty, and its excellent dialogue, and ability to endear us to faulted people this film reminded me of Sideways. I liked it very much, just would have liked a little more impact in the message department.

This film screened at a Laemmle Theatre.

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  • Friends with Money. Copyright © 2006.
  • Starring Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, Joan Cusack, Simon McBurney, Jason Isaaacs, Scott Caan, Greg Germann, Ty Burrell, Bob Stephenson.
  • Directed by Nicole Holofcener.
  • Screenplay by Nicole Holofcener.
  • Produced by Anthony Bregman at Sony pics/This is That.

Grade..........................A- (3/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:11:09 PDT