Review: Hello, My Name Is Doris

Hollywood doesn't have many starring roles for older women, and when they come along, they're usually in stodgy prestige pics or extremely safe romantic comedies. It's nice to see a biting, yet touching, satire like Hello, My Name Is Doris come along, and it's glorious to see Sally Field nail the title role. 

She brings a lot of color and class to the shy Doris, who falls for her company's new, and decades younger, art director. The object of her affection is played by Max Greenfield, who's probably best known for his work on the sitcom The New Girl, but who I fondly remember from a small, recurring role in the teen detective show, Veronica Mars. Greenfield has a big, ingratiating smile that can put you at ease, and it's easy to see how Doris would fall for his character. We also get a wonderful supporting turn from Tyne Daly, another favorite actress of mine. From a casting perspective, this film knocked it out of the park!

It was directed by Michael Showalter, who's known more for wild, sketch-oriented comedies like Wet Hot American Summer, Stella and The State; so it's a bit of a surprise that he put out a comedy so restrained. But it really works-- there's a fire burning beneath the surface of this film that you just don't find in many like it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hello, My Name Is Doris, and I think it's a film that will appeal to adults of all ages. Highly recommended.