Olive Kitteridge (2014)

Purely Joyful Movie!

Lack of good storyline.

A Disappointing Continuation

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Olive Kitteridge features a tour de force performance by Frances McDormand. She is a cold, distant cantankerous school teacher who has had a 25 year marriage with Henry Kitteridge (Richard Jenkins) a kindly pharmacist in small town Maine.I doubt the marriage has been a happy one as she had an affair with a fellow teacher. They have a son Christopher who barely wants to be with his misanthropic mother. It seems Olive comes from a family with a history of mental illness. However she has to reassess her relationship with her husband when he falls ill due to a stroke and needs to care for him. Olive also tries to mend her relationship with her son but that proves to be more difficult.Some time later Olive wants to end it all herself but comes across a wealthy, drunk eccentric Jack Kennison (Bill Murray) and finally feels some tenderness.This is a slow burn series, well acted but at times it does feel like a slog.

Just because something is well written, nicely directed and terrifically acted doesn't mean that it will be enjoyed by viewers, at least not this viewer. OK, I understand the awards for individual achievements but as someone who just sat and watched the whole thing in one sitting, the only thing I'm walking away with is depression. Usually when you have a show of this type, there is some nod to something positive, maybe a small uplifting message but alas there was none. You don't even get a sense of self awareness. I don't think this was boring but just wish it would have come with a disclaimer "Warning - Viewing this show can be a real downer".

I've just read some of the negative reviews about Olive Ketteridge. I thought it was obvious what we were getting into in the first 30 minutes of this brilliant mini series. Yes it's a bit downbeat. But Olive Ketteridge is about real people and real situations, and let's face it it reflects certain areas of real life. I think we've all known characters like the ones portrayed in Olive Ketteridge. All the performances are spot on. Plus there are many areas of Olive Ketteridge that made this viewer smile. So I don't see the negativity. Maybe the negative reviews come from people who wanted to see a Deloris Claybourne or a True Detctive. Olive Ketteridge is about love, loss and what ifs, and that's about it.. But it's told so well that one almost forgets that the story's so simple.

If you liked McDormand's performance in Fargo, Olive Kitteridge will surely not disappoint. I look forward to reading the book now and only wish that perhaps I'd read it before watching the mini-series. I loved much about this mini-series but most especially the straightforward way that depression is handled. Olive is a complex character (not all bad or all good) and while her behavior might be tough to swallow, McDormand treats us to a realistic portrayal of the disease of depression and how is affects every facet of her life and those around her. Some well played foreshadowing moments and times of contradictory behavior make the plot and characters more interesting. I gave it a 10/10 because this is the kind of movie I enjoy, but know that it might not appeal to everyone, especially if you just want to watch a feel good or relaxing movie. This one will challenge you to think a bit more and examine your own dysfunctional behavior (and/or that of your family) which may not be too comfortable. Also enjoyed the other characters, especially Henry and Christopher.