"Private Life” uses a dark comedic tone to shed light on the struggles of couples with infertility issues. The film would be too depressing to watch if it was a drama but the tone helps to get the point across while making the story watchable. It is unique in that the relatable characters and coming-of-age subplot help to explore the difficult subject matter in an empathetic way while maintaining a sense of hope. The performances of Paul Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn feel candid and raw, most closely resembling Richard Linklater‘s stream-of-consciousness “Before Sunrise” series (with a very different theme). Rather than falling in love, the lead characters have very little room for love in their marriage because their entire world is consumed by trying to have a child. There are moments when you wonder why they would even want to have a child together because they don’t seem to even like each other. Meanwhile, their niece Sadie (played by Kayli Carter) contrasts the loveless marriage by starting to find meaning in her life through a sense of family values. Her performance feels authentic as she sees the struggle of others and learns to be selfless. For me, she was the highlight of the film. The story is further rounded out by Sadie’s parents, whose differing opinions on infertility, egg donation, and in vitro fertilization help to expose various public perceptions of this often taboo topic. There isn’t a lot to be said about the production design or cinematography - this film is all about the script and acting. “Private Life” isn’t entertaining per se, but it will cause you to contemplate the struggles of infertile couples and their determination to have a child, all while appreciating the realistic performances by its players.
[Pictured: The film's tone lies somewhere between depressing and hopeful]
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