“Walking and Talking” is a quirky comedy about two best friends, Amelia and Laura, who are navigating the ups and downs of life in their 20s. They walk together through the streets of New York, talking about sex, relationships, and their respective neuroses. The film is a bit like a meandering stroll through Central Park – sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but always entertaining.
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Review
In the early ’90s, writer and director Nicole Holofcener created a poignant and deeply relatable film about two best friends navigating the challenges of adulthood. Walking and Talking was released in 1996, starring Catherine Keener as Amelia, a therapist struggling to come to terms with her impending marriage, and Anne Heche as Laura, her best friend who is dealing with the aftermath of a breakup.
The film takes place over the course of several months leading up to Amelia’s wedding, as she and Laura navigate their changing lives and relationship. Walking and Talking is a film that explores themes of friendship, love, loss, and growing up. It’s real and raw in its approach to depicting human relationships and how they change over time.
One of the most striking things about Walking and Talking is how timeless it feels. Despite being released over twenty years ago, the struggles that Amelia and Laura face are still incredibly relevant today. This is thanks in large part to Holofcener’s careful writing – the film feels like a snapshot of two women’s lives at a specific moment in time, while also speaking to universal truths about friendship.
At its core, Walking and Talking is a movie about two women who are grappling with big life changes – Laura has just broken up with her long-term boyfriend (played by Liev Schreiber) while Amelia is preparing for her wedding. They’re both struggling to find their footing in their new realities.
The dynamic between Keener and Heche is what really makes this movie shine. They’re both fantastic actors individually but when they’re together on screen it’s magic. Their chemistry is so palpable that it’s hard not to feel like you’re watching real-life friends navigate their way through life’s ups-and-downs.
The supporting cast also deserves props – Kevin Corrigan plays Peter, an awkward video store clerk who has a crush on Amelia; Todd Field plays Andrew, Laura’s ex-boyfriend who keeps trying to win her back; and Randall Batinkoff plays Chris, Amelia’s fiancé who is feeling increasingly neglected as their wedding approaches.
One of the things that makes Walking and Talking stand out is its soundtrack, which is comprised of indie rock hits from the mid-’90s. From the opening credits, which play over The Spinanes’ “Lines and Lines”, to the closing scene set to Luna’s “Bonnie and Clyde”, the music adds an extra layer of emotional depth to an already moving film.
Walking and Talking did not receive any major award nominations but it’s a critical darling, with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s been praised for its direction, writing, acting, and score. The movie was also well-received by audiences – it grossed over $1 million at the box office on a budget of just $1 million.
The film was shot on location in New York City, which adds to its realism. Holofcener has said in interviews that she tried to capture the city in a way that felt authentic – something you don’t always see in movies set in NYC.
Despite its relative obscurity compared to some of Keener’s later work (including films like Being John Malkovich and Capote), Walking and Talking remains a beloved film among cinephiles. It’s an underrated gem that deserves more recognition than it receives.
In conclusion, Walking and Talking is one of those rare films that manages to capture something essential about human relationships. It’s a movie about friendship, love, loss, growing up – all things that we can relate to no matter where we are in life. The performances are superb – Keener and Heche make for a dynamic duo – while Holofcener’s direction beautifully captures the essence of New York City. With its timeless themes and relatable characters, Walking and Talking is definitely worth a watch.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 86
- Release : 1996-07-17
- Genre : Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Cast : Catherine Keener as Amelia, Anne Heche as Laura, Todd Field as Frank, Liev Schreiber as Andrew, Kevin Corrigan as Bill
- Crew : Avy Kaufman as Casting, Alisa Lepselter as Editor, James Schamus as Producer, Ted Hope as Producer, Nicole Holofcener as Director
- Popularity 4.815
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Good Machine, Mikado Film, Electric
- Summary : Just as Amelia thinks she’s over her anxiety and insecurity, her best friend announces her engagement, bringing her anxiety and insecurity right back.
- Tagline : A movie for everyone who wants to get married and stay single at the same time.
