recommended

Disturbing yet enthralling

A Major Disappointment

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

I know there is a need in many to see a clear-cut happy end. And sure, the happy end in this movie is much more subtle than that - but if you pay careful attention, you will definitely find it. Because this movie is not about the 'American dream', it is about transformation, self-development, maturing. It is about the delicate ways life helps us to change for the better - by sending a sign, a book, a person, etc. that serves as a mirror. And by getting a glimpse of how things really are in your life, in your soul, you make the right decision - and can continue at a higher level.Delicate story, cute acting, intriguing story-line - a real masterpiece that uses subtle tools, still works like a charm. 10/10

Todd Louiso's "Hello I Must Be Going" stars Melanie Lynskey as Amy, a young woman who moves in with her wealthy parents after a bitter divorce.During "Going's" first act, Louiso indulges in light satire. Amy's wealthy parents are mocked for being vapid, a more liberal family are mocked for being airheads and a son fakes being gay in order to flatter his progressive, ultra-tolerant parents. The film then turns into a little Girl Power screed. Here Amy learns to sympathise with her mother, who's been neglected by Amy's oft absent father. Amy also has an affair with a nineteen year old guy (Christopher Abbott), and kicks away her ex-husband, an adulterous man whom Amy delights in milking for a divorce settlement. At first glance the film thus seems to be indulging in a little reverse-sexism, but Louiso has other intentions. Amy's dad is ultimately a nice guy and Abbott's character ultimately teaches Amy to love herself.Ever since "The Graduate" (1967) and "Harold and Maude" (1971), the older woman-younger man paradigm has been fairly mainstream. "Hello I Must Be Going", though, seems to offer the reverse of the countless indie films released annually in which a young, pixie faced woman exists only to "heal" the wounds of a depressed older man. And so here Amy self-identifies as a loser, incapable of being loved, an "ailment" which an incredulous fling promptly cures; nothing like being adored by a teenager, apparently, to kick-start your libido.6/10 – Worth one viewing.

I've liked the New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey's work ever since her first movie when she was 15 years old. That film was the dark "Heavenly Creatures", which I believe was Kate Winslet's first film as well, with Peter Jackson directing.I had a rather hard time assessing "Hello I Must Be Going". I finally concluded that there were too many clichés and contrivances and that the film in its' entirety never really clicked with me.Lynskey plays Amy who is quite depressed about her pending divorce and, although I believe it's only mentioned once in the movie, a miscarriage. She's living with her parents, portrayed by Blythe Danner and John Rubinstein, and has hardly left the house in three months.An important business client, to her father, comes to dinner at their home along with his wife and son. The son, Jeremy (portrayed by Christoper Abbott), and Lynskey are very attracted to each other and begin a torrid affair. The film presents Abbott as 19 years which is one of the key points of the relationship. In fact, Abbott is 28 years old now and Lynskey 35 years old which is not that great a difference as the film would like to portray.Most of the characters seem to be nearly always talking in circles and evasively and rarely saying what they really mean, which I found rather annoying after awhile. Also, they seemed to be speaking their lines without really any emotion, and with deadpan expressions, so it wasn't registering emotionally for me. Even the musical soundtrack I felt was annoying.It's certainly not the worst movie I've ever seen. The ending I thought was appropriate. However, overall I could never reach a point where I cared all that much about what would happen,

"Melanie Lynsky leads a great ensemble of actors giving great performances making the film more compelling even with some faults throughout the film" Stories about olden women falling in love have been told on screen and off screen for so long now that these types of women have a word associated with this type of behaviour however unlike those type of women our main female in this film is different then most of those so called "Cougars". Amy (Melanie Lynsky) is just recently a divorcée who has moved back in with her parents Ruth (Blythe Danner) and Stan (John Rubinstein) Minsky. After many moths of depression Amy after meeting Jeremy (Christopher Abbott) she starts a sexual relationship with him that close people around her start to notice her depression disappearing as her secret relationship with Jeremy blossoms.As I mentioned above stories like the one this film tells have been written so many times they get to repetitive however there is a difference which is that the main character of Amy is very depressed and sad unlike other women who are trying to act younger. The writing of the film flows well through scenes but some lines and scenes written bring the story to a stop as you question the believability of the actions of some of the characters. For example Ruth who seems more critical of her daughter instantly forgives Amy which does not seem realistic to how the character is written. The pace of the film does start slow but once Jeremy comes on screen the story moves quickly which is what you would want to happen.Melanie Lynsky playing Amy is obviously the standout of the film because it is all about her. Her performance is both comedic and dramatic and she plays all those parts of the character very well especially in a scene she shares with Blythe Danner as the two fight because both get to stretch their dramatic skills playing off each other very well. Blythe Danner plays Amy's mother Ruth and while she starts off as a typical mother character Danner just plays the her so well. She may be on screen less then Lynsky but she plays her scenes so well especially when the cracks are visible in Danner's voice which is just her talent she has build up over the years. There are also fine performances from Julie White, Christopher Abbott and John Rubinstein but these three are not given much to do other then say the words.The film is a fine dramatic romantic comedy with typical scenes of love but with a different lead character the film becomes more relate able especially in how the lead character is written. Strong ensemble work from almost everyone playing well off of each other.MOVIE GRADE: C+ (MVP: Melanie Lynsky)