Walking and Talking (1996) - Nicole Holofcener

In the spirit of films like Claudia Weill's Girlfriends, Nicole Holofcener's Walking and Talking is a story examining the mid-20s/early-30s crisis of identity and fear of loneliness that plagues so many people of that age.  Amelia, a Manhattan resident, struggles with loneliness in the face of her best friend's imminent marriage to her longtime boyfriend.  Desperate to find someone, Amelia resorts to dating the nerdy, horror-movie obsessed video store clerk whom she doesn't even find physically attractive.  Between this unfavorable encounter and some awkward continual conversations with her ex-boyfriend, Amelie becomes more depressed about her future prospects until she discovers that Laura's seemingly happy relationship has chinks of its own.  Walking and Talking is a well-crafted, acted, and written film examining the longing and loneliness that can plague the post-college, mid-20s crowd. Amelia and Laura have been best friends from childhood but Laura's engagement has created expected distance.  What the film does so well is capture how much communication, or lack there of, can be the true culprit to a tumultuous relationship.  Each of these woman is struggling in their own lives, but the only reason they are truly growing apart is their lack of communication.  It's essentially an example of "the grass is greener on the other side", with each woman projecting their desire for happiness onto their best friend, making the assumption that the other is extremely happy and they are alone to deal with the problems.  Amelie and Laura are in very similar situations, facing their own doubts and insecurities but it's their lack of communication that puts a strain on their relationship.  Their relationship is quickly resolved and even strengthened after Laura and Amelie express themselves to one and other.  Nicole Holofcener's Walking and Talking is rather lightweight in approach but it's a charming, well-acted portrait of childhood friendship and how it evolves in adulthood.

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