Hello, My Name is Doris (on DVD)

Hello, My Name is Doris
[DVD Hello]

I grew up watching Sally Field as an actress, first in The Flying Nun, then The Girl With Something Extra, then her feature film successes in such films as the Smokey and the Bandit movies, Norma Rae, Places in the Heart, Murphy’s Romance (a personal favorite), Mrs. Doubtfire and Steel Magnolias. In more recent years, I’ve enjoyed seeing her tackle more seasoned roles in things such as the Brothers & Sisters TV series, Mary Todd Lincoln in Lincoln, and Aunt May in two Amazing Spider-Man films. The trailers for Hello, My Name is Doris made me eager to see her in another starring role, especially opposite Max Greenfield, whom I’ve enjoyed tremendously in the comedy series New Girl.

This film features Field as Doris, a lowly data-entry clerk in her late middle-age, who has been the sole live-in caretaker for her mother for decades, giving up any chance of seeing any of her own hopes and dreams accomplished. When her mother finally passes, Doris finally has the opportunity to pursue some of her own dreams, while simultaneously fending off her siblings’ desire to sell the family house. Unfortunately, because most of her life has been a huge “gap”, Doris isn’t prepared for what her heart wants…and timidly sets off in pursuit of a new executive at her advertising firm, a much younger man. With the advice of a friend’s pre-teen granddaughter, Doris tries to fit into the world of her young target, dabbling awkwardly in social media and becoming a cause celebre in his circle of hipsters. The film bounces from silly and sentimental, to awkward and uncomfortable, but throughout its mood swings, Sally Field turns in a bravura performance. In the end, I came away not fully satisfied with the film itself, but Sally Field is a wonder and I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of her work!

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try any of her films or TV-series, hotlinked above.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Hello, My Name is Doris web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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