Nicole Holofcener's first two films, 1996's WALKING & TALKING and 2001's LOVELY & AMAZING, were intelligent looks at modern-day relationships between friends and family. Continuing her one-movie-every-five-years schedule, 2006's FRIENDS WITH MONEY follows that tradition of smart screenwriting, excellent acting, and careful direction. FRIENDS WITH MONEY focuses on four female friends examining their relationships with their significant others and themselves--and not always liking what they see. Frances McDormand stars as Jane, a successful dress designer who has taken to wild public outbursts, stops washing her hair, and is married to a kind man who might be gay (Simon McBurney). Joan Cusack is Franny, a multimillionaire who appears to have the perfect life with her husband (Greg Germann) and kids. Catherine Keener plays Christine, who is building her dream house and writing a screenplay with her husband (Jason Isaacs) as their life together is crumbling. And the youngest of the foursome, Olivia (Jennifer Aniston), is a pot-smoking ne'er-do-well who works as a maid, stalks her ex-lover, and has a thing about not paying for certain high-end cosmetics. As they prepare to attend a major fundraiser for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), they all take stock of their lives, reaching some very difficult conclusions. Holofcener has again created the kind of fascinating, complex characters, insightful and believable dialogue, and wholly realistic situations, crafting an adult look at life and love in the 21st century.
Theatrical Release: April 7, 2006
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Closed Captioned - English - Optional
Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - English, French
Subtitles - English, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary: Nicole Holofcener - Director; Anthony Bregman - Producer
Featurette:
1. Behind-the-Scenes
2. Sundance Featurette
3. Los Angeles Premiere Featurette
Costume Designer
Michael Wilkinson: Costume Designer, JUST ANOTHER STORY
Director of Photography
Terry Stacey: director of photography, SPRING FORWARD
Production Designer
Amy B. Ancona: Production Designer
Music
Rickie Lee Jones: AMERICAN POP SINGER
Review 1:
"There is, indeed, a discernible clarity to the actual filmmaking here, and an attractive feminine wit evident in the artistry." -- Grade: B
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.59-60 04/14/2006
Review 2:
"[P]iercingly observed, achingly perceptive....FRIENDS blends empathy and a great sense of comic timing with the richness of Holofcener's trademark take-no-prisoners observations..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.E1 04/07/2006
Review 3:
"[T]he performances are engaging, and the dialogue has precision and verve..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.55 07/01/2006
Review 4:
3.5 stars out of 4 -- "Smart, witty and alert....The film is a field day for actresses. And their teamwork is a thing of beauty....It touches a nerve."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.73 04/20/2006
Review 5:
"[G]reatly appealing....Ms. Holofcener writes wonderful, recognizably real characters..."
Source: New York Times
p.E1-E12 04/07/2006
Review 6:
"Holofcenter has a sharp eye for the oddities in contemporary relationships, and there are many funny, observant moments in this Los Angeles roundelay."
Source: Movieline's Hollywood Life
p.101 03/01/2006
Review 7:
3 stars out of 4 -- "FRIENDS is well-crafted, intelligent, genuinely adult fare."
Source: Premiere
p.31 05/01/2006
Review 8:
"The film is likable, with some funny moments and recognizable human conflicts....Sharply observed and cleverly written..."
Source: USA Today
p.6E 04/07/2006
Review 9:
4 stars out of 5 -- "Holofcenter refuses to judge her characters, letting us decide for ourselves which of her impeccable ensemble deserves our attention and sympathy."
Source: Total Film
p.50 07/01/2006
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