Displaying items by tag: Brett Haley

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATIONS

US, 2026, 117 minutes, Colour.

Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Tommy Do, Molly Shannon, Alan Ruck,

Directed by Brett Haley.

This is popular material for audiences who enjoy romantic comedies. It is not one that critics liked, considering it too slight and undeveloped.

It is based on a novel by the popular novelist Emily Henry, has two attractive stars and some veteran comedians in support.

The central couple, she travelled journalist, he more retiring and introverted, have met in college, has been some summers travelling together – but there is now a distance between them. He is attending a marriage in Barcelona. She decides to travel to Barcelona to find out the truth about the relationship.

Familiar material, pleasant romantic leads, some emotional complications, some pleasant Spanish scenery…

1. The target audience? Adults in their 20s and 30s? Older audiences beyond this kind of crisis?
2. The title, the focus on the We rather than the people on vacation?
3. A variation on the romantic comedy, lasting over 10 years?
4. Introduction to Poppy, young, studies, going to Ohio, the lift with Alex, late, luggage, scatty, talking? Music, her story about growing up bullied, Alex’s reactions, listening, put off? The delay, the phone calls, having to spend the night, the setting up of the situation?
5. Poppy in the present, vacations, seemingly alone, her comments? Discovery of her job? Success, her writing, her boss? The wedding in Barcelona, the invitation, her previous engagement, phone, deciding to go? The motivations?
6. The continued story of Barcelona, the flight, encountering Alex, to the hotel, the preparations for the wedding, his brother and partner, Alex’s father, the interactions between Poppy and Alex?
7. The flashbacks, over nine summers, the first, planning to go each year, the trip to Canada, the outback, and Alex coming out of himself, Poppy and her flirting, skinny-dipping and Alex losing his clothes, Adventurous Alex? The visit to New Orleans? Her being sick on the non-visit to Norway? The relationship between the two over the years, his relationship with Sarah, the audience not seeing her, break ups and on again? The contrast with Poppy, her relationship with the chef, then with Trey?
8. The summer in Italy, the atmosphere, Sarah, the engagement, Alex and his ambitions, Sarah running the company? Poppy and her responses?
9. The absence of two years, Alex breaking with Sarah, Bobby meeting Sarah at the airport and Sarah as a flight attendant and happy with life? The preparations for the wedding, the meetings between Alex and Poppy, repairing the past two years, the kissing, the reactions, the celebration of the marriage, the dancing, the atmosphere?
10. The happy ending, the misunderstandings, Poppy resigning from her job, the encouragement of her boss, to live in Linfield coming together, and a very long preparation for their commitment to each other?

I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS

US, 2015, 92 minutes, Colour.

Blythe Danner, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, Mary Kay Place, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Max Gail.

Directed by Brett Haley.

The title of the film is that of the popular song of the 40s and 50s, memorably sung by Doris Day in the film with that title.

This is a film for an older audience, especially in older women’s audience. At the centre is a former singer and former teacher, in her 70s, widow of 20 years after the accidental death of her husband, Carol, still living comfortably at home. She is played by veteran actress, Blythe Danner, always sympathetic on screen.

Down the road is a home for aged care with three of her friends, often meeting together, gossiping, playing cards. They are played by veterans Mary Kay Place, Rhea Perlman, there 70s, with June Squibb, still making films into her 90s. They like to gossip about Carol and possible relationships, especially with the young technician, pool cleaner, who visits Carol and has long conversations with her about himself, going to a karaoke bar with her, his composing a song for her. Stop

However, another resident of the aged care home is Bill, played by Sam Elliott with his usual affable charm. Again, a relationship with Carol, together, her being able to reflect on her life more freely with him, on his boat.

The film does not end as we might have expected with a happy relationship. Complications with Bill’s health, complications with the young man’s devotion to Carol, support from the women’s group – and Carol, at this age, having to reassess her life and plan for her future.

1. The Title? The old song? Dreams and reality?
2. A film about age, ageing, memories of the past, love, coping with the present, into the future? Happiness, sadness?
3. The California setting, Carol and her house, garden and pool, the aged care home? The streets, shops, restaurants? Audiences identifying with placing characters? The musical score?
4. Carol’s story, widow for 20 years, love for her husband? The past, her singing, the band, her teaching career, stopping singing? Living alone, comfortable? Her friends at the aged care, cards, gossip? The encounter with Lloyd, his reserve, her talking, inviting him for a drink, his relaxing, his attraction to her, karaoke talk, at the bar, their singing, his writing the song for her, singing it? His disappointment at meeting Bill? The later return, Carol encouraging him? Carol playing golf, noticing Bill, his response to her, the invitations, her going out, enjoying the evening, the challenge, listening to Bill’s story, the sexual encounter and the aftermath? With her daughter, the bonds, the discussions, the call to the hospital, Bill’s death? The effect on Carol, plans for the future, travel with her friends?
5. The humour of the speed-dating episode, Carol uncomfortable, the range of men and the making conversation within the five minutes?
6. The friends and aged care, the different personalities, discussions, gossip, sex issues, playing golf, playing cards, touch of snooping? The response to Carol and Bill?
7. Bill, charm, but aged care, his boat, story of his wife leaving and dying, the attraction to Carol, the flirting, the invitation, the dinner, the night together, the plans for the future, on the boat, the proposal, the news of his death?
8. Audiences identifying with Carol, with the situation, older generation, younger generation?