You Had Me At Hello

Probably best known for his tough guys like Tony Soprano in The Sopranos or enforcer Virgil in True Romance, the late James Gandolfini’s final starring role was totally unexpected.

Sensitive and funny, Gandolfini’s Albert pairs perfectly with Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Eva, who also gets to go beyond her usual cutting sarcasm and explore a wider range of emotions as a divorcee looking for love, caught between a new beau and a new friend.

Amanda and Joey had differing opinions on Catherine Keener’s Mary-Anne (though Keener is a gem), but overall they agree that this is a modern romance classic and a reminder that we lost Gandolfini far too young.

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The conversation veers towards crying cues, the importance of representation in Hollywood, movies other than the Big Sick, and the perseverance of John Wick.

Because The Big Sick is based on the story of a real-life, very much still married couple, Joey and Amanda did not, in fact, speculate about whether these two would stand the test of time. We’re guessing the movie’s critical and box office success will only help.

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Directed by Anne Fletcher of 27 Dresses fame, The Proposal is one of Joey’s favorite mid-grade rom-coms and a movie that Amanda had seen, but allegedly forgot about until Sandra Bullock’s shamanistic dancing to Lil Jon brought it all back.

A frigid editor-in-chief convinces her executive assistant to be her sham fiance in order to avoid deportation and antics and love ensue — with cute pups, Betty White, and Coach/Mr. Incredible to boot.

Further reading on The Proposal:

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La-di-da. I lurff you. Let’s just kiss now and get it over with. Annie Hall is full of nostalgia: Joey reminisces about film school, Kate describes her own celebrity encounter and too much time is spent discussing Amanda’s driving.

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This week, Joey and Amanda watched 13 Going on 30. Amanda can’t say the word “naivete,” and Joey ponders the ethics of disclosing your magical time-travel experience to your partner. Being 13 is either the best or the worst, depending on who you ask, and it’s agreed that for better parties everyone should know the dance to Thriller.

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Joey and Amanda watch It’s Complicated, and contemplate the certainty of their future, whether Meryl Streep and Steve Martin will elope in Ireland, and whether having a cafe/catering business is indeed profitable. Copious tears were shed leading up to this recording. But also, so many people in this movie have been in so many other cool things!

Further reading:

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Joey is hugely offended when Kirsten (Gabrielle Union) guts the apartment she shares with Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) of all his nerd stuff. Amanda relates to changing her behavior to find the kind of lasting relationship she wanted, ie, not being introduced as "a friend."

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Amanda enjoyed the expletives, Joey enjoyed the structure. And the end montage leaves little to the imagination as to whether Carrie and Charles live happily ever after--luckily settled into their lives before Trump, before Brexit.

Further Reading:

26 of the first 45 words in this movie are a derivative of the f-word. The obligatory FW&AF listicle. A 20-years-later celebrates the film’s little moments in between. BBCAmerica takes a gander at where are they now?  Surprise, Hugh Grant doesn’t believe in marriage. The mansion from the movie was recently up for sale. And just a reminder from Lindy West that Love, Actually is actually the worst.

And, of course, don't forget to make Amanda's Stop All The Clocks cocktail while you watch.

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But writer/star Jason Segel is a relatable, flawed lead opposite both Kristen Bell as the titular Sarah Marshall, and Mila Kunis, the babely customer service lady; Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a gem. Not only because it’s the first taste of Jason Segel’s Muppet obsession, but it’s a sad break-up movie with a hilarious all-star cast that will keep you laughing and maybe even crying.

Joey and Amanda try to guess which of them is the bigger sad sack, and Amanda needs more information about Rachel’s (Mila Kunis) plans for going back to college before she can decide whether Rachel and Peter stay together. 10/10 would recommend watching again.

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Released in 1989, Say Anything follows two unlikely lovebirds the summer after they graduate high school.

In this episode, they discuss how not wanting sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career is a worthwhile attitude, and basically the pathos of every aspiring writer. Amanda drops a truth-bomb on Joey about Lloyd and his platonic BFF Corey, and they both agree it was highly inappropriate for Bebe Neuwirth’s character to show up at that high school party.

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