Hello, My Name Is Doris (2016)

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Hello, My Name Is Doris Movie Review

Hello, My Name Is Doris is a 2016 romantic comedy film directed by Michael Showalter and starring Sally Field and Max Greenfield. It is a pleasant indie surprise.

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“You’re a baller, Doris. Straight up!“

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It is about a woman in her sixties who tries to act on her attraction to a much younger co-worker. I really liked the story here as it actually has a lot going for it, not just the main romance. It was great watching a woman get infatuated with a much younger man as we rarely see that on film. But I admired that it was done tastefully and in a heartwarming instead of exploitative or ridiculous comedic manner.

I also really liked that it focused on other aspects of Doris’s life. She is such a well developed main character that you really get to know her in this movie and get to care for her. Her hoarding problem is so well explored here and it was great watching her deal with it and eventually beat it. But the film’s heart lies in the relationship with her best friend Roz. Those two had some of the most heartwarming moments together and watching Roz console her friend after she’s been rejected was just beautiful to behold. She may not have much that is worthwhile in her life, but her friendship with Roz is certainly something special and I loved how the film showcased the immense importance of such a friendship.

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I really liked John as well. He was a very likable, charming fellow and it was understandable that she got head over heels for him. He was also really well acted by Max Greenfield who is here more sympathetic than usual. But naturally this is Sally Field’s show and she shines in a very demanding role that could have been awkward, but she restrained it with subtlety and humanity. She gave one of the year’s finest female performances.

Hello, My Name Is Doris is far from a great film as it has a couple of overly ridiculous and theatrical sequences in its first third. That was too aggressive and just plain unfortunate as it really diminished the overall impact of the movie which was more realistic otherwise.

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But besides that, it doesn’t have all that many flaws and the humor is actually quite solid afterwards. A couple of sequences really made me laugh and its awkward, eccentric humor was quite pleasant. It mostly found the right balance between comical and dramatic/moving which is why it succeeds as both a drama and a comedy. It is quite well directed and also really well edited as there is not a single scene here that is wasted in my opinion. It truly is one of the best indies of the year.

Hello, My Name Is Doris is sometimes too eccentric and goofy, but it mostly found a right balance between comedic and dramatic, Sally Field is fantastic in the main role, her character is so likable and you care for her, the story is really well told and it has many really well done, impactful scenes. It is one of the year’s finest indies.