Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Private Life (2018)


What is it about?

A couple struggling with fertility go to great lengths, even at the risk of their marriage.
Who is in it?

Kathryn Hahn - Rachel

Paul Giamatti - Richard


Favorite Scene:

Rachel storms around the house in the middle of a tirade, does so pants-less, and then goes and scrubs the tub in the bathroom.

Favorite Quote:

Sadie: Oh, my God, look at us. We're like an ad for assholes.

Rachel Biegler: You mean we're assholes, or we're part of an ad that's targeted to assholes?

Sadie: No, it's just that whole... people with cappuccinos in their lofts, with their laptops, dogs, with messy hair. You know, that whole fantasy. It's not your fault. You guys are authentic and real, you've just been co-opted by cultural mechanisms that create desirability. I took a media and consumer society course. It was pretty life-altering.

Review:

It's films like Private Life that make you really appreciate Netflix and the original content they produce. This film is absolutely fantastic on so many fronts and in so many ways, most noticeably, the focus it places on infertility, and the many aspects surrounding it.

Private Life is a fantastic tragedy. The film lets you in on the struggles and strains that come along with infertility, especially on the scope a person's marriage in trying to conceive. From the drugs, the discussions, the hope, and pitfalls - all of it felt like a surreal education into a life many overlook or are blessed to not have experienced.

Hahn and Giamatti - as always! - are absolutely fantastic. The film progress continues to will you to root for this couple who have gone to so many lengths just to have a child together.

Private Life is fantastic. If you want a film that is artistic, informative, entertaining, profound and very funny - this is it.

Grade: 4.5/5

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Friends With Kids (2011)

What is it about?  Two friends decide to have a child together without all of the strings attached of romantic emotion to avoid the changes that children can have on a relationship.  Who is in it?  Jennifer Westfeldt - Julie Keller Adam Scott - Jason Fryman

Trying to Stay Mellow on Melo and his "Brand"

(Courtesy: NYTimes/Richard Perry) Alright, fire up the rant machine after this one folks.  "What's understood doesn't need to be spoken upon" #DestiNY #TheFutureIsNow — Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) June 26, 2015 Carmelo Anthony really hasn't been winning any points with me lately. None. I've been indifferent on him even as the years have gone on and the Knicks fanbase continues to split on supporting him. Lately, I've been creeping over to the negative side. For me, a big deciding factor was when he decided to play in the Knicks game in London and in the meaningless All-Star Game to continue "building his brand", and thus delaying his needed knee surgery to the point of affecting his return for this upcoming 15-16 season.