Please Give (2010)

I have had this sitting on my dresser for weeks because I am so busy always watching the instant movies on Netflix, that I seldom remember that I also get one DVD at a time at my house too!  I should start by saying I have a bit of a crush on Catherine Keener.  I pretty much will watch anything that she is in, but this movie in particular I was really looking forward to because it was written and directed by one of my favorite women Nicole Holofcener.  I first discovered her several years ago when I watched her first feature length movie called Walking and Talking (also starring Catherine Keener).  I should re-watch that and review it because its one of my absolute favorite movies.  This was great too. I didn't like it as much as a few of her other movies.  But as usual, I think that her characters, particularly her female characters are very real.  Even with their many neurotic behaviors, I know these women...sometimes I AM these women.  They make sense to me, even when they are saying something so horrifying that you want to hide under your bed.  This movie was about the lives of two groups of people living in the same apartment building.  Catherine Keener plays Kate, who lives with her husband played by Oliver Platt and her adorable but awkward teenage daughter played by the very refreshing Sarah Steele. They live next door to an elderly ornery woman named Andra who is cared for her by her two granddaughters, played by Amanda Peet, and Rebecca Hall (another of my new favorites) I loved the writing. I loved the interaction between the cranky old grandma and her granddaughters. I loved the relationship between Kate and Alex and their daughter Abby as well. It just brought back so many memories for me of being a young girl, trying to figure it all out.   I really just loved this movie.  The music was great, the performances were touching and often made you cringe with the honesty.  I am so sorry this sat on my dresser for the past few weeks without me taking it out to watch it!  I was not disappointed!
UPDATE: This is now available for instant streaming on Netflix
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0878835/