'Hello My Name Is Doris' A Review

Hello My Name Is Doris is a dramedy about a 60-something woman Doris(Sally Field) who has lived with and taken care of her ailing mother most of her life. The film opens on the death of her mother with her brother and sister-in-law pressuring her to move out of their formerly shared cluttered Staten Island home. After attending a self help seminar with her best friend Roz(Tyne Daly) she is inspired to mix things up. She begins a convoluted romantic pursuit of her younger co-worker that eventually turns into a friendship as she is semi-ironically accepted by the Brooklyn hipster class.

Sally Field gives an incredibly layered and dynamic performance, vulnerable and funny, emotional and inspirational. The film periodically falls into cliche but Field elevates even the stereotypical moments with both comedic and dramatic resonance. The other stand out is Doris's best friend Roz played by Tyne Daly. Daly's brash affection is utterly compelling to watch, with both heart and humor. Max Greenfield as Doris's love interest John doesn't fair as well, still giving a serviceable performance, but a bit hamstrung by the contrived awkwardness of the script. Stephen Root as Doris's brother comes across as a bit villainous until a wonderfully affecting dramatic scene with him and Field that delivers no comedy but a hefty amount of emotional weight while delivering some much needed back story.

The production design is all functional enough save for the costumes which are a bright spot of artistry. The story itself is the most flawed element of the film. With a conceit and a lead performance so unique its somewhat surprising how rigidly it adheres to rom-com trope with very few surprises coming in the third act. Despite its predictability Field's indelible turn makes the few missteps virtually negligible.

A magnificent lead performance in a somewhat routine narrative.

See It.