Hello, My Name Is Doris

With all the talk (and that is what it mostly is) of equalising cinema there is still a lack of films that feature female actors over a certain age. If you discount supporting turns in dramas where they are called upon to be the wise grandmother or ageing matriarchal figure then there is a lack of choice for those who enjoy such things. Hello, My Name is Doris is trying to reverse that trend with an excellent lead performance from Sally Field.

Having been in the situation where she worked for a living and looked after her ailing mother for all of her adult life, Doris is faced with change. Her mother has passed away leaving Doris with the realisation that the best years of her life are behind her and she has little to look forward to. Her mother was a hoarder, a trait that has rubbed off onto Doris over time. Her brother wants her to sell the old family home to generate cash and to give Doris a fresh start. She is reluctant to do so as it would mean wrenching herself away from too many memories and a house full of stuff. Into her working life as a data entry clerk at an online clothing retailer she comes into contact with the firm’s new art director John (Max Greenfield). Feelings of hope are raised when she attends a motivational speaker’s show and she sees the chance of a romance with a younger man as a real possibility. She just has to find a way to get him to take her seriously. For that she needs the help of some friends and a little deception.

Sally Fields gives a fantastic performance in the lead role of Doris. This is a character with depth, humanity and a good deal of eccentricity. There is nothing glamorous about the role at all. In fact Field has to look as dowdy and Kooky as possible. The character’s life up to this point was on hold. This has resulted in her standing out as work as a relic and a serious oddball. Field takes the character and makes her engaging and funny with an undercurrent of sadness and regret. It is only as we spend more time with her do we start to understand what made her into the person she is now.

There are a lot of comedic elements within the film that add to the enjoyment. Doris is prone to daydreaming and in several scenes romantic scenarios are played out in her mind. The payoff happens when we return to real life and we see her looking rather odd as she is still imaging an entanglement with John. Even though the character is embarrassed she acts as if nothing is wrong and hopes the object of her affection ignores it as well.

In a bid to find common ground with John she seeks held from her friend Roz (Tyne Daly). Roz is a straight talking, opinionated friend who stands for no nonsense. Daly is superb in the role that seems to be tailor made for her. In a mild form of stalking she connects with John while posing as someone younger on Facebook. This is the start of Doris coming out of her shell. She is introduced to Electronic music and a whole new culture. This is done in such a way to show that different people can have a real connection. Doris is made to feel very welcome by a group that are just as eccentric as she is . They are her type of people.

The film has a warm feel to it that is very sympathetic to the main characters and their desires. The main characters, apart from John, are all strong female characters who even though they are older and less motivated by status, they are still engaging and interesting.

About
Latest Posts

John McArthur

Editor-in-Chief at Moviescramble. A Fan of all things cinematic with a love of Film Noir, Sci-Fi and Julia Roberts in Notting Hill. He hopes to grow up some day.