Hateship Loveship (2013) User Reviews (36)

A Slow Paced Real Story about Real People

[danew13 · 7/10 · 22 April 2014]

I normally wouldn't be interested in such a low key romantic drama. This is not a comedy. But I wanted to see Kristin Wiig in a non comedic role. I wasn't disappointed on that score. Her acting, even though very underplayed, showed she is a even more versatile than anyone had so far seen.

Even though I think the end result of the plot is a bit pie in the sky, this remains a nice tale of ordinary people in contemporary times met with modern-day problems.

It's a story mainly about a woman getting what she wants and a damaged man, Guy Pearce, achieving redemption through the love of a woman and a second chance at a family. The very real prospect of this long-time drug addict actually kicking the habit is never addressed.

But there's also a side plot that could have been played a bit more prominently...that of Nick Nolte's late in life love affair, something that could have been a film in itself.

Strange people

[fmwongmd · 7/10 · 3 August 2018]

It is difficult to believe that a character played by Kristen Wiig actually existed. I suppose it could happen. This makes the story worth watching if for no other reason other than to find out how it turns out. The acting is good

Old style lovey

[sergelamarche · 7/10 · 13 January 2022]

Well acted and a story for angels. Pretty much an angel in cruel need for love managed to get it perfectly with elbow grease and patience from a lost soul on the way to hell. And saves him and the family.

A sad romantic film

[Gordon-11 · 3 December 2014]

This film tells the story of a lonely woman who works as a live in carer for elderly people. She falls in love with a man after a cruel trick player on her.

"Hateship Loveship" borders on being a romantic comedy, but it's more bitter than sweet. Johanna is a caring and loving woman, and yet she is at the receiving end of a very cruel joke. She gets much of my sympathy, even though she hangs on to the man despite the man's numerous shortcomings. The way she is treated by the man is truly despicable and shocking, yet she hangs on for the wrong reason. It's quite a tragedy that makes me heart heavy. I think Johanna's robotic appearance is due to her working as a carer since teenage, and as she says, it's the only world she knows. She doesn't know what love and affection is, which makes me even more angry at the way she got exploited.

It's a sad romantic film, which is not a usual combination. I enjoyed watching it.

SPOILER-Compelling Story. Mostly well done in spite of slow style.

[mush-2 · 7/10 · 27 May 2014]

This contains spoilers: This obscure little movie boasts a fine cast, including Christine Lahti, Jennifer Jason Leigh,Nick Nolte, Hallie Steinfeld, Guy Pearce and Kristin Wiig in the lead. I guess they all saw something in the script that they liked. And truth be told, it is a fairly compelling story, although executed very slowly. I kept thinking, what a great yeasty drama this would have been if made in Old Hollywood with say Bette Davis or Greer Garson. The plot is a good one- meek, shy innocent one played by Wiig, is conned by two teen girls into corresponding via email with one of the girl's widowed father who is a drug user and ne'er do well.He is well played by Pearce with a characteristic withered handsomeness- a Lothario gone to seed. Wiig is so taken by the fake emails, she hops on a bus to join him.

When she realizes she has been duped, she decides to stay anyway. And here is the meat of the movie. She manages to redeem this lost man by her innocence, selflessness and purity. She even manages to chase out his slutty , druggie girlfriend played very well, as always, by Leigh.

See why this would have been perfect for Old Hollywood?

Pure innocent goodness redeems lost man with home cooked meals and fresh laundry. Lars Von Trier would hate it!

The plot is satisfying and works except for one major flaw near the end. The two teen girls get no comeuppance or punishment for their cruel prank. Wiig doesn't even get an apology. I think the movie suffers a bit for this. They were trying for something subtler , I guess.. Sometimes, though conventional melodrama is the way to go.It was invented for a reason, after all.It

I did like the suggestion at the end, that Pearce is not really cured of drug addiction and Wiig may end up running that motel by herself one day. Wiig is good in the role. It's a great part. I think a finer dramatic actress may have shown us more layers. But good to see, she is expanding her repertoire.

The movie is worth checking out.

Slow ponderous start develops more drama later

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 24 April 2014]

Johanna Parry (Kristen Wiig) is a meek home care giver. After her elderly client dies, she starts a new job taking care of Mr. McCauley (Nick Nolte) and his granddaughter Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld). Sabitha's estranged father is Ken (Guy Pearce) who lives in Chicago. After going home, he leaves a friendly note to Johanna. When she writes a reply, Sabitha and her friend Edith (Sami Gayle) come up with a catfish scheme to trick Johanna. Ken has no idea and he has an addicted life with girlfriend Chloe (Jennifer Jason Leigh).

The pacing is slow with the quiet performance from Kristen Wiig. It's a subtle character that may be too subtle. The scheme is painful to watch at times because of the grinding pace. The correspondence scenes with Kristen Wiig are not the most compelling. The girls probably have a more compelling story. Their relationship has a lot of possible conflicts. In many ways, Johanna is just a prop for the girls. Then midway in the movie, Joanna takes a journey. At least there is some human interactions, and the movie improves.

There is some good human drama to be had in this movie. Hailee Steinfeld does put in a good performance. The father-daughter-grandfather relationship should be the better emotional material to mine in this story. Kristen Wiig should be more the catalyst. However it does improve enough to recommend.

It was an alright movie, I would rather if Wigg's character was more open....

[Irishchatter · 7/10 · 12 June 2016]

Its not that i didn't enjoy the film, of course i did. I really enjoyed the sex scenes with Wigg and Pearce including them having a family together. It's just i think they should've developed Wiggs character more by being a little more open and not always have to keep staring at people. I think that it makes the viewers like myself, feel a bit cringy because you don't expect what shes thinking and when she does talk, it doesn't seem to make sense with what she wants.

Anyways we'll shift that aside. This movie does tell you how grief and alcohol can tear families apart. Now i don't think this was mentioned in the film but in my opinion, because of the fathers drug and alcohol addiction, i say he lost the custody of his own biological daughter to her grandad. The grandfather didn't seem to keen on him and I wouldn't blame him, he really did do well on bringing up the daughter. The same time though, she didn't seem to trust her father either.

I thought it was cruel when herself and her best friend gave Wigg's letters and email messages so that she can hook up with the dad. I thought Sami Gayle who played the best friend was a bit pointless for this movie because this isn't based in a high school, its merely based on the family home really. She just was really annoying, now Gayle is beautiful but they should've have added her character onto this, it was just rather pointless to be honest with you.

I wouldn't call this one of my favorite movies but i think it was good enough i suppose........

The only thing worse than friendship is Hateship

[solojere · 7/10 · 28 April 2022]

Hateship Loveship is a little dry at times but overall a pleasant feel-good movie. The film follows Johanna Parry (Kristen Wiig), a career taker who movies in with a grandfather (Nick Nolte) and his granddaughter Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld). Upon meeting Johanna and seeing that she is a bit off, Sabitha and her friend Edith decided to prank Johanna by sending her fake love letters and emails from Sabitha's Father, who is a recovering addict. However, as Johanna embraces the prank, things take a turn Sabitha and Edith couldn't have predicted. I won't spoil anything because I feel like this is one of those movies that is better if you watch it for yourselves. However, I will say that I thought it had some good performances and a good message about looking at the positive side of any given situation. Specifically, I thought Kristen Wiig, who in my opinion can be hit or miss, gave a great performance as Johanna. Similarly, I thought Hailee Steinfeld gave an excellent performance even though she was still just a kid. I love Hailee Steinfeld, and she did not disappoint. While I wouldn't put it up with some of her other films, Hailee still steals the show in every scene she was in, and you can really tell that she was a talented actor even from a young age, like in True Grit. Also, I felt that even though Sabitha kind of starts out as a spiteful teenager, it becomes clear that she is a complex character who has lost her mother and, as a result, has a strained relationship with her father. It's not a perfect movie, but it's enjoyable and worth watching for Hailee alone.

Not a bad movie but it was like watching real life play out and that's really not why I watch movies.

[cosmo_tiger · 5/10 · 8 July 2014]

"If you and Edith weren't so good at writing letters..." Johanna Parry (Wiig) is a caregiver who has worked for the same woman since she was 15. During this time she rarely left the house and lived a sheltered life. When she passes she takes a job working for an elderly man and his granddaughter Sabitha. Sabitha isn't excited about having a nanny so her and her friend respond to a letter Johanna wrote to Sabitha's father Ken (Pearce). This starts in motion a "relationship" that unintentionally helps everyone involved. This is another movie that is hard to review. The acting is good and the story is interesting and very well written. The only downside is that its just like watching real life. There is really no excitement or any real intrigue. Not even a will they/wont't they feeling. Kristin Wiig is starting to become like Bill Murray in the way that she either does laugh-out-loud-rolling-in-the-aisles comedy or very deliberately paced not quite comedy/not quite drama films. This is a movie that when it was over my only thought was...huh, so that's done. Overall, not a bad movie but it was like watching real life play out and that's really not why I watch movies. I like to have something in it that makes me think. This didn't. I give it a C.

Naive woman follows fake love letters to find love

[maurice_yacowar · 7/10 · 21 April 2014]

The country and western soundtrack is perfect for Liza Johnson's Hateship Loveship. It's a small sensitive film about simple folk with deep losses. Broken people fumble their way to fixing each other.

A silly prank leads through humiliation and possible heartbreak to a family-wide redemption. In Louisiana two high school girls send fake romantic emails to one, Sabitha's (Hailee Steinfeld) live-in caregiver, Johanna Parry (Kristen Wiig). Since 15 Johanna has been a housebound servant so she's unprepared for the temptations and tricks of the real world. She falls for the false romance and buses to Chicago, where she plans to marry Sabitha's misrepresented father Ken (Guy Pearce), an addicted loser. But first Johanna spends $2,500 to ship to Ken the antique furniture his father-in-law McCauley (Nick Nolte) gave his daughter as a wedding present, then took back after she was killed in an accident, with the drunk high Ken driving.

Nick's surprise at her arrival shows Johanna her mistake. She sticks around, cleaning his apartment compulsively, making him meals, which prompts him to dump his druggie girlfriend Chloe (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Eventually they marry and have a baby, which — after the return of the furniture — thaws old McCauley's heart, to the point that he gives them back the antiques. He starts a relationship with the town cashier Eileen (Christine Lahti), whose two football playing sons are Sabitha's classmates.

Ken's motel, which Johanna helps resurrect with her money as well as her elbow grease, is called The Oasis. In this arid sterile landscape of selfishness and betrayals the simple Johanna's warmth and openness prove the oasis that will sustain the life around her. She wins over McCauley, Eileen, of course Ken and even his initially antagonistic daughter Sabitha (whose name suggests she's not quite a cat or a witch but close). Her friend Edith (Sami Gayle), who authored the deceptive love letters, is too shallow to learn. "What do you want?" she brazenly confronts Johanna at her graduation. "I have what I want," Johanna replies. Edith wants to become a dermatologist. She still runs skin deep. For more see www.yacowar.blogspot.com.

What is the message with this film?!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 15 April 2014]

Kristen Wiig stars as Johanna Parry and she's a very, very, very emotionally stunted woman. In fact, she's so withdrawn and displays so little emotion that you could swear at first that this might be a zombie film. Now I do not blame her entirely for this sort of cold and disconnected performance, as the director obviously must have been looking for this. And, this sort of character might have worked had the film been more coherent and had a discernible message, though I could detect little of either.

Johanna is a live-in caretaker. When the film begins, the old woman she's been caring for dies and Johanna now is moving on to another assignment. This time, she's to care for a teenage girl and her grandfather (Nick Nolte). Soon she sees that there is some strange baggage with the family, as the teen's father, Ken (Guy Pearce) is not living with them. Slowly she learns this is because Ken is an addict and was responsible for his wife's death-and went to prison because of this. He's now on probation* and is clearly a very messed up guy and he shows many indications that he's still abusing drugs.

For kicks, the daughter and her very nasty friend decide to create a fake boyfriend for Johanna-sending her emails that are supposedly from a love-struck Ken. Very quickly Johanna falls for him and begins writing him regularly. She also appears to be coming out of her emotional shell. Now she begins planning for a life with a man who barely knows her-though she now thinks that he does.

So far, all that has happened in the movie is pretty interesting and the picture pulls you into this world-even if Wiig's performance is WAY too understated. However, so much of what follows simply makes little sense. Johanna decides to empty her bank account and ship furniture to Ken-and this second part might get her arrested because the grandfather claims it's his and she takes it from his home. She then shows up unannounced at Ken's and just hangs out there. After a while, she realizes that he has NOT been sending her letters and it's all a sick jokeyet she stays! Soon, he's stealing her money to support his drug habit and she seems content to live with him. By the end of the film, there are both indications that the relationship might be working out (though WHY is beyond me) but there are also indications he's still using drugs. If this ending sounds unsatisfying and vague, you are definitely correct.

It's probably good that Influx asked me to review this one-not only because I love reviewing films but because I am a retired psychotherapist and used to work in a drug treatment center. So much of what occurs in HateshipmLoveship seems inappropriate and ridiculous. While there are codependent women who might latch onto an addict with fairytale dreams that it will all work out, not showing a realistic ending seems inexplicable. Instead, there's a strong message that it might just work out fine for this couple-when this is a very dim possibility. Plus, I'd hate to see anyone internalizing this stupid message-sort of like the old song "Stand By Your Man". In other words, if you just love someone enough, everything will somehow work itself out in life!

*By the way, if a person has gotten out of jail early, they have a PAROLE officer, not a probation officer. Probation officers are employed when a person has been found guilty of a crime but did not get sent to prison. The drug program where I worked was for folks on parole and probation, so I understand the difference between the two.

Loved 'Hateship Loveship'

[clockwork_orange45 · 9/10 · 13 April 2014]

The storyline of 'Hateship Loveship' does not feel particularly revelatory or original on the surface but by the time the credits roll it proves itself to be something of great worth.

Kristen Wiig plays Johanna, a carer starting a new job looking after Nick Nolte and his rebellious granddaughter Sabitha. Wiig is devastating to watch. Her character has lead a sheltered life and looks on the verge of tears a lot of the time. She is very gentle and tentative, and able to express a multitude of emotions just from a tilt of the head or twitch of the mouth.

Her casting in this film could have fallen quite easily into the 'comedy actress trying to be serious in a movie' camp, but it rises above that in favour of something far more truthful.

Johanna's introversion is challenged when after falling victim to a prank she is paired together with Sabitha's recovering addict father Ken played by Guy Pearce. The combination of her complete innocence with his world weary, compulsive behaviour make for some fantastic moments of mundane realism, and bittersweet comedy.

The film contains themes of love across three generations, loss, and family responsibility, and although they are all sentimental ideas due to the high quality of acting and direction involved it never becomes mawkish about it. Uplifting without being preachy. I never felt like I was being told what to feel, but just being allowed to witness a set of very relatable, charming characters negotiating the situations they find themselves in.

Days later Kristen Wiig's performance is still lingering in my mind.

GOOD FOR A WHILE

[laragi · 6/10 · 3 August 2019]

So much potential. The wrapped up ending ruined the last 20 minutes. Nasty syrup poured over really good pancakes.

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage

[estebangonzalez10 · 5/10 · 1 May 2014]

"Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage."

Hateship Loveship is director Liza Johnson's followup to her debut film, Return, which I never had the opportunity to check out, but despite the fact that I wasn't very impressed with her effort in this film I do see some positive qualities in her film making. Somehow she managed to draw me into the story despite the fact that it centered on almost all unlikable or strange characters. The pacing of the film is extremely slow so you have to be patient with it, and there are also one too many relational conflicts explored which leave many undeveloped or forced moments. The romantic story felt a bit awkward and rushed, but the performances are the highlight of this film. I had never seen Kristen Wiig in a dramatic role before and I thought she gave a solid performance although her character is perhaps the quirkiest. I still enjoy her more in comedic roles, but she proves to have some versatility. Her character might seem quiet and domesticated, but she has a strong and resolute will. Guy Pierce is by far the most unlikable character as he play a careless drug addict and ex-con, but the story redeems him. Hailee Steinfeld continues to impress as a child actress and she delivers yet another solid performance. And finally you have the reliable Nick Nolte who is always a great addition to a film. Hateship Loveship has several pacing issues and an unconventional love story that will turn audiences off, but fans of Wiig will enjoy her unique character in this dramatic film.

The screenplay was adapted by Mark Poirier (Smart People) from Alice Munro's (Away from Her) short story. The main character, Johanna Perry (Kristen Wiig), is as a caregiver who has to look for a new job after the old lady she has worked for passes away. She is hired by Mr. McCauley (Nick Nolte) who wants her to take care of his granddaughter Sabatha (Hailee Steinfeld). Her mother died in a traffic accident and her father, Ken (Guy Pierce), lives in Chicago and is in no condition of taking care of her due to his drug related problems. When Johanna arrives, Ken happens to be visiting Sabatha, so the two meet and before he heads back to Chicago he leaves a thank you note for her. Sabatha gives Johanna her father's address when she asks for it so she can write him back, but Sabatha's friend, Edith (SamiGayle) decides to play a cruel trick on her. Offering to post the letter for Johanna she keeps it and convinces Sabatha to play along and trick Johanna by corresponding with her in her father's name. Johanna begins to fall in love with Ken thinking he is the one writing her, but despite Edith's cruel trick, Johanna finds a way to redeem herself.

Despite the slow pacing, Hateship Loveship has a very important underlying theme which I found uplifting. These two characters that end up falling for each other might not have much chemistry on screen because they are not your typical couple, but what I did get out of it was the importance of not being judgmental. That is perhaps Johanna's greatest asset as she is very quiet and patient. She is treated in an unfair manner but she is determined to forgive and expect the best in the other person without judging them for their actions. Eventually that quality is what helps Ken redeem himself and find his purpose. Sometimes all the other person needs is some patience and not someone to point their finger at them. The characters in Hateship eventually become interesting although at first it might be difficult to relate with them. The ending felt a bit rushed, but I had a decent time with this movie and ended up enjoying it more than I expected to (although not nearly as much as my father did).

Unusual love story, a product of a grand deception.

[TxMike · 7 December 2014]

I have come to prefer Wiig in non-comedic roles, as hers here. She is perfect for this role.

Kristen Wiig is Johanna Parry, a domestic worker, caregiver, housekeeper, cook. A simple woman who is also perhaps too trusting of others. As the movie opens we see her with an elderly woman who soon dies in her sleep and Johanna calmly dresses her in her preferred blue dress before calling to report the death.

Her next job is for Hailee Steinfeld as Sabitha, living in Iowa with her grandfather, Nick Nolte as Mr. McCauley. Her mother has died and her dad, Guy Pearce as Ken, has a prison record for alcohol and drugs and was in fact driving under the influence when his wife was killed. He is not welcome in the family and stays in Chicago.

The "spark" of this story starts when Ken is visiting, Johanna has just arrived, and they all go out for hamburgers. Days later when Sabitha gets a letter from her dad, inside is a note for Johanna, a simple note saying he enjoyed meeting her. She writes back and makes the error of trusting Sabitha and her friend to mail it for her. Instead they open it, make fun of her, begin fake correspondence from Ken, then make a fake email account.

Johanna never had love in her life and falls totally for what she thinks are letters from Ken, and apparently asking her to join him in Chicago. Which she does, much to his surprise. They soon figure out the girls were behind all this but instead of getting angry Johanna makes the best of the situation, cleans Ken's place, cares for him when he develops a fever, cooks for him. He soon becomes attached to her.

A manifestation of the old song lyric, "If you can't be with the one you love then love the one you're with."

A bit slow to develop, patience is rewarded. A good movie.

In this drama starring Kristen Wiig, she plays a nanny just starting on a new job in which the family is plagued by tragedy and drugs.

[Amari-Sali · 6/10 · 13 September 2014]

When it comes to comedians doing dramatic roles, especially after they peak, when it comes to their comedy, it has led to some quality roles. For whether it was Robin Williams, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey, arguably some of their dramatic roles are better than 90% of their comedy films. Unfortunately though, women haven't really found themselves transitioning as often from being a comedian to going to dramas. Monique did with Precious and Kim Wayans with Pariah, but I would argue it isn't much a norm. Leading to the question: Does Wiig present herself as the next comedian to show dramatic chops, or maybe she should stick to making people laugh?

Characters & Story

Johanna's (Kristen Wiig) latest job ends with the old woman dying and then her venturing off to become the nanny to a young girl named Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld), who lives with her grandpa Mr. McCauley (Nick Nolte). A man she lives with since her dad Ken (Guy Pearce) is a drug addict and killed Mc. McCauley's daughter. So, to protect his granddaughter from such nonsense, and to punish him as well, he has guardianship over Sabitha.

Thing is though, he is old and can't keep up with her so that is where Johanna comes in. But with Johanna being plain, and a bit gullible, naturally it leads Sabitha and friend Edith (Sami Gayle) to pick with her. How? Well, they pretend that Ken has a romantic interest in Johanna and for most of the movie that is the main focus. Johanna falling for Ken and him growing accustomed to her.

Praise

Something I liked about this film was everyone was given their own life outside of Johanna's role in it. Sabitha had friends, a love interest, and her own drama; Mr. McCauley had a love interest; and Ken had his drug buddy Chloe (Jennifer Jason Leigh), his motel, and probation officer to worry about. All of which kept them from seeming like their lives stopped and started only when Johanna was around.

Criticism

And the reason I'm glad they were presented with some sense of their own lives is because Wiig plays Johanna as a woman who speaks in monotone, and almost has a horror villain type of personality. Like, when you meet Johanna you almost wonder if by the end of the film there will be blood everywhere, which of course she would clean up, and then she would leave as quietly as she came. For that is how deadpan Wiig plays her. Add in that Johanna isn't interesting in any sense of the word, and it makes the lead damn near feel like a liability.

Though the story, as a whole, isn't really appealing to compensate mind you. For while there are mentions of what happened to Ken's ex- wife, some tidbits about Ken's sort of girlfriend Chloe, and we get little story tidbits about Mr. McCauley and Sabitha, often it feels like the story is rather aimless. Yes, there is a beginning, in which Johanna shows up to Mr. McCauley's house; a middle, when Johanna falls in love with Ken; and an end, in which those two find themselves in a relationship; but, once all is said and done, it is hard to say you were really given a reason to care about anyone for no one seemed to really evolve. Take for example Ken's drug addiction, we don't see him go through withdraw and all that, or really heal his relationship with Sabitha or Mr. McCauley, it is just Johanna stepping in, telling him he should stop due to her getting pregnant, and then we time jump and it seems he is now the type of guy he should have always been. Making it so the one meaty part of the movie, which could have brought some type of interest, gets cut.

Overall: Skip It

Like The Prince, something about this movie just feels lazy. Almost as if there was an interesting story which could have been told, but something led to the writers telling you the most basic of stories just so that they could fit the movie into the schedules of all the actors involved. Leading to why I'm saying to skip this film. For while there isn't anything necessarily wrong with it, unless you are picky, it just is boring to the point where it doesn't provide you anything besides good background noise for a nap.

Literary Indie

[BlueFairyBlog · 6/10 · 3 June 2016]

Based on the short story by Alice Munro, "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage," this film stars Kristen Wiig as a sad sack caretaker and housekeeper who is thrust into a family situation she doesn't quite understand but wants to. Wiig as Johanna makes for a subdued and yet brilliant performance. Directed by Liza Johnson (of the upcoming "Elvis & Nixon.") this indie film tells the story of a woman beaten down by everything around her, until she took control of her own destiny.

Johanna begins working for an old man (Nolte) who takes care of his granddaughter Sabitha (Steinfeld). Her father (Pearce) killed her mother in a boating accident years ago and is no longer able to care for his daughter. He lives in poverty, is addicted to drugs, and often asks his former father-in-law for money. Seeing Johanna's adoration for her father, Sabitha and a mean spirited friend plan a hoax where they write correspondence to Johanna in his name. Johanna falls for him, and in the meanest move yet, is tricked into travelling to see him in a decrepit motel. The rest of the story follows their courtship and how Johanna changes her life, as well as the life of the man she loves.

Most of the film is truly heartbreaking. Johanna is this solemn, peculiar creature who doesn't seem to have anybody but herself. She has morals, dresses austerely, and only wants the love of a good man. She doesn't push or prod either, but gently maneuvers herself into his life and helps him crawl out of the hole he has fallen down. The film isn't really about Johanna changing herself to be happy, but instead shows that even the quietest and most pitied of people have an inner strength that can do others a world of good. While I wouldn't say this is a great love story, it is a sweet tale of a man given little to no hope finding someone who really believes in him.

There's nothing revolutionary and new about this story, but it is a sweet film that brings out the romantic in all of us. It really is a story about the power of love, and how people can change. While not realistic, it does truly encapsulate the feeling of loneliness and depression one can have while hanging at the end of their rope.

Part farce, part tragedy - a well-acted but oddly-executed affair.

[shawneofthedead · 4/10 · 23 July 2014]

"Dying is easy," so they say. "It's comedy that's hard." That's why it's always so thrilling to see comedians stretch their wings a little and try a little bit of dramatic acting for a change - frequently, their performances are all the more affecting because they're acutely aware of the fineness of the line that exists between comedy and tragedy. Kristen Wiig, of Saturday Night Live and Bridesmaids fame, proves this to be true with her first stab at the almost purely dramatic in Hateship Loveship, although she's ultimately let down by an overly wooden script and character.

Johanna (Wiig) is a caregiver who leads a nomadic existence, packing up what little there is of her life to move into whichever household requires her services next. When she arrives at the McCauley home, she meets the motherless Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld) and her alcoholic, undependable father Ken (Guy Pearce). Wilfully bristling at the new addition to the family, Sabitha plots with her best friend Edith (Sami Gayle) to play a practical joke on Johanna: they craft a letter of clear amorous intent from Ken in response to Johanna's simple thank-you note.

It's a situation that could easily be played for comedy or for tragedy: the misunderstanding created by the two girls blossoms into a one-sided love affair for Johanna, so good at cleaning up people's lives but so inexperienced at living her own. Hateship Loveship settles for an uncomfortable mix of the two, often trading awkward, neo-farcical humour for genuine insight into Johanna's psyche. When Johanna decides to commit fully to her 'relationship' with Ken, the film stumbles into almost horrifying territory. It's difficult to know just how to respond to Johanna's predicament and Ken's understandably shocked reaction to her arrival in his life, just as it's tough to really buy into the way their relationship develops thereafter.

For the most part, the clumsiness of the film has little to do with its cast. Wiig bravely underplays her part, hinting at rather than telegraphing Johanna's soul-deep loneliness and craving for a family of her own. It's unfortunate that her character takes on a near-robotic cast so early on in the film. Pearce manages to be both charming and off-putting as Ken, while Nick Nolte makes his mark on the film as Sabitha's caring but clueless grandfather. Steinfeld, while perfectly fine in her part, is largely upstaged by the chirpy meanness evinced by Gayle - who, unfortunately, is also let down by the fact that Edith is almost purely the villain here, and bears none of the subtle characterisation she enjoys in Alice Munro's original short story.

Taking a step back from the film, its themes and intent become more readily apparent: families can be forged, just as relationships and love can, out of hate, resentment and misunderstanding. But, buried beneath a few extraneous subplots and some really patchy writing and character development, it never entirely comes clear when you're actually watching Hateship Loveship. Fittingly for a film that isn't quite sure what it wants to be, it's tough to know whether one should laugh or cry in response.

Unexpectedly beautiful

[movie_mentality · 9/10 · 16 March 2014]

I was able to view to this movie via PPV before it hits theaters. I had no prior knowledge of the movie, and honestly pretty low expectations based on the description given, but I thought wth, I'll give it a try. I am SO glad I did. This movie was an unexpected beauty. I loved seeing both Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce in very different roles than they typically play. This film is understated, it's slow going yet the pace feels perfect. There may not be any HUGE moments, but there are a couple "really good" ones. This film starts out with an almost sad feeling, but totally goes in an unexpected direction, and is so much more than it's description. It offers amazing yet gentle insight into various relationships, real-life scenarios, and excellent acting. I loved Nick Nolte in this. All around, this film left a good feeling inside my heart. It's about embracing imperfection, loving people for who they are, yet showing them how much more than can be if someone believes in them. At least, that's what I took away from it. So much more than I expected, love it! I am quite picky about movies, especially slower-moving independent films..but this- I loved. Well worth the money and time. 9/10

So Glad I Finally Took This Movie Home

[randbish · 8/10 · 17 September 2014]

Being funny on the screen seems effortless to Kristen Wiig. Her comedic clowning skills are on a par with Lucille Ball and Shelly Long. Sincerity, however, doesn't come as easily — especially when her character is plain and charmless.

HATESHIP LOVESHIP sat on the Thriftway DVD rental shelf for several weeks. I took note of its great cast: Wiig, supported by Guy Pierce, Nick Nolte, Hailee Steinfeld, Christine Lahti, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. What could go wrong there? My memories of GIRL MOST LIKELY (which was supposed to be a comedy, but whiffed miserably) prevented me from taking the chance. Wiig's performance as said GIRL lacked any charm whatsoever; she was drab, homely, and totally unappealing. So, what was she going to do with this, her first dramatic role? It didn't look promising at all.

Finally, I took HATESHIP LOVESHIP home. And, I'm so very glad I did. What a splendid collaboration between star, cast, screenwriter, director and crew in this adaptation of Alice Munro's short story. Ain't no heroes here. These are real, extremely flawed human beings. They might live next door to anyone. They might be anyone.

Wiig's Johanna is a caretaker. That's what makes her life make sense. And, that's her odd beauty. She also finds herself attracted to bad boy Ken (Pierce) a drug-addicted user with delusions of accomplishing something that will finally give him independence.

But no one in this story seems to feel entitled to anything. They've all been wounded. So they protect themselves.

No one is hanging from a cliff. No clock is ticking. No fuse is burning down. Yet, somehow watching Johanna scrub a long-neglected bathtub filled me with worry, hoping she wasn't setting herself up for disaster.

The sex scenes, while not showing any nudity, are luscious and beautiful. I hope to see more of Liza Johnson. She is one gifted and inspired director.

Yeah, maybe Ken will never change. But it won't be for Johanna's lack of patience, and devotion. The story leaves us rootin' for the dude — and loving her. The doormat has won his respect and admiration. And ours. She deserves it.

Something So Satisfying

[ms_jade_li · 10/10 · 5 March 2016]

There are many aspects to Hateship Loveship lay a groundwork of excellence even before you look at the first frame. Guy Pearce is who drew me to choose it through netflix, as I've never seen a movie of his I didn't like and list him at the top of my charts for fine actors. That said, it was only when I got the disc going that I saw the movie is based on an Alice Munro short story, and she's a fine author with powerful themes. Exceptional supporting cast members Jennifer Jason Leigh and Nick Nolte sealed the deal in knowing there was a better than average chance that this heretofore unheard of cinema would be an enriching experience in watching. It was only after getting to the end of the film that I realize how often dynamic tension that is created in plots leads to some anxiety-producing situation that oftentimes ends in disappointment. To get to the end of Hateship Loveship without that happening was so satisfying!

That said, Kristen Wiig had me hooked from the opening scene. She is the central figure upon which the plot revolves and she maintains that centrism throughout. Her awkwardness is almost palpable and elicited a pain in my own heart as I watched her stoically navigate through a world where she is an invisible accessory that makes life easier for those around her. It is only when she becomes visible that she becomes vulnerable. There is the heart of a champion that waits within, and it is when an eye sees her that it begins beating.

Guy Pearce plays his character flawlessly. The son in-law on eggshells around his father in-law. The father who wants to be whole with his daughter again. The cokehead who is caught between two worlds. The halfassed boyfriend of another cokehead. The man who is suddenly caught in the spotlight of an affection-starved oddball.

What happens from the time the spotlight begins shining cannot be forgotten. Love's heartbeat begins the world anew for all. To watch makes me feel almost like an aesthete voyeur, privileged.

This film is a keeper and will be watched many times. Thank you to all involved in the making of it.

Forgiveness and Perseverance Carry The Day

[frankw6895 · 9/10 · 24 November 2014]

This is a very well-done, gentle romantic movie, with excellent acting, especially from Kristen Wiig. Family members and I had not heard of Ms. Wiig before seeing this movie recently on a movie channel. We understand now that she is mainly a comedic actor, so it was good to see this movie without knowing that in advance.

This movie seems geared more toward an audience from the South or Midwest. Members of my family have hired young female caregivers like Johanna Parry (Ms. Wiig's character, who is the movie's main character) to take care of our parents before their death. So we can probably better relate to Ms. Parry than many folks who might consider her a little odd.

This movie does something that Hollywood rarely does: it shines a light (and a sympathetic one at that) on working-class American white people. We know of working-class white women like Ms. Parry, who are not "ambitious" (in the traditional sense of the word), and thus seem content not having many impressive possessions, work titles, social status, etc. So to us, the movie is quite realistic in this sense.

Our only criticisms of the movie: the ending seems a bit rushed (is there a director's cut?); and, knowing some working-class men with drug problems, we felt that actor Guy Pearce was too handsome, polished, well-built, and well-spoken to play Ken, the movie's principal male character. Actors like Edward Norton would have been more believable in the role.

But, on the whole, we highly recommend this movie, and hope it draws a large viewer-ship via cable TV.

Wipe the mirror for a clear reflection of you.

[Reno-Rangan · 8/10 · 23 March 2015]

This movie was based on the short story 'Hateship, Friensdhip, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage' which won the Noble prize in literature a decade ago. A pure drama about a middle aged single woman whose life was dedicated to her profession. Just like similar to the 'Finding Vivian Maier', except there was no photographies involved. Frankly, I was not predicted that this film would impress me a lot. Picked it to watch without an interest, but while a watch surprised and glued to my seat to the rest of the film.

Even though there were fine actors in the movie like Guy Pearce and latest sensation Hailee Steinfield, it was a Kristen Wiig show. Apart from voice-over for the animations and other supporting roles, she was not seen in a top form recently. Her commitment to the character she played as Johanna Perry the live-in caretaker in the movie was inevitable to appreciate. Feels very real who fall for a teenagers prank that actually influence her life to turn it around. So how and what are the things to be done against the odds are displayed well.

''The only thing worse than friendship is hateship.''

Kind of 'second chance' theme, if you get one you must seize it. Though, it was not that simple in the movie, but developed at a fair dosage of obstacles between 'the desperate' and 'the hope' to form balanced account. Don't consider it an inspirational, it was just pieces of common event that's happening everywhere, but creatively put into the texts and then cinematic. Commercializable title that did not suit for a realistic narration. Especially not in todays world, might have been a perfect title 20-25 years ago. Once you watch it the perspective will change that still movie like this are made for the silver screen, not direct-to-television, but what? Sadly commercially fails.

If you observe closely the end scene, it was very practical to the real life. Whether we accept our fate as it happened or we created it, the flaws always remain, especially in a relationship. That's what the entire movie unfolds, how people cope with each other despite what they were before. A very well told simple story. Of course it was a slow narration, not because of the stretched from a short story, but to give the depth in the portrayal. This movie is for ardent drama fans like me, for a change others as well should try this little sweet movie.

8/10

Kristen Wiig proves her versatility

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 28 December 2014]

So far Kristen Wiig has been known as a comedienne, so it's a welcome turn to see her in "Hateship Loveship". She plays a woman goes to be a caretaker for a man and his granddaughter, setting in motion a series of events. What I liked was not only the characters' depth, but also a trick that the movie plays: the cruel trick attempted by the granddaughter's friend backfires.

Much like how Bill Murray proved his versatility by starring in a number of serious movies in the 21st century, Kristen Wiig does so here. She has good support from Guy Pearce, Nick Nolte, Hailee Steinfeld, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Christine Lahti (appearing briefly is Peggy Walton-Walker, whom I once met). I hope that Liza Johnson continues directing movies. In the meantime, I recommend that you see "Hateship Loveship".

What a great film!

[bksutherland · 10/10 · 27 November 2014]

Kristen Wiig reveals incredible depth and range in this Oscar-worthy performance about an unfulfilled care-giver aiding a widowed father with a drug problem, a troubled teen coming of age and a grandfather trying to deal with failing health while keeping the family together. Set aside your comedic expectations based on Wiig's earlier work -- this is a drama with a full range of nuanced feeling - humour, wit, longing and fulfilment in the classic style of Canada's Nobel prize-winning author Alice Munro, whose short story was masterfully adapted to this screenplay. There are no lightweights in the cast either: veteran character actors Guy Pearce, Nick Nolte and Jennifer Jason Leigh deliver rock solid performances. This felt like a Sarah Polleyproduction: no overtly grand shots or scenes but every character cast perfectly, every performance and shot building a deep, rich reverb and feeling. A fantastic film.