FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

lindag4747 I almost didn't watch this movie; what a shame that would've been. Kristen is nothing less than magnificent! I loved her on SNL and worried about her when she left. She's so much more than her characters there... and they were excellent. This movie was like a good book you can't put down. Real people, dealing with real challenges, but willing to step out and take a chance on the possibility of something better. (Similar to what Kristen did by leaving SNL). And the actors are convincing - especially Kristen. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. Thank you Kristen for leaving SNL. I'll be watching a lot more of you. :)

ms_jade_li 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.

Gerald Dunham This too, for me, was initially so dreadful (and I thought... potentially depressing) a story (initially) that I stopped watching it after about 20 minutes...BUT!!! A couple months later, I watched Kristen Wigg in "Bridesmaids" (a second time, this time to observe Ms. Wigg)... and realized (in addition to her talents shown in "Welcome to Me") that Kristen was actually a POWERFUL actress, with a BROAD range of talent and acting ability...SO... I gave it another chance, last night, realizing that this NON-major NON-Hollywood production was a personal acting choice for Kristen, for the real CHALLENGE it presented...!!! and I'm SO very glad I did.I started over, watching it from the beginning, with a new understanding of the role.Her line "I have what I want." was such a moving moment (and resonated as a point of strength and stability that I happen to really need (a nightmare boss) to realize in MY life) that it became something of a mantra, to put my mind to rest, last night.Now, having watched Kristen Wigg perform in "Girl Most Likely" and "The Skeleton Twins", I'm simply filled with admiration for what I consider her phenomenal talent, as a versatile actress.I want to add that I thought Guy Pierce was FLAWLESS, and (little downer here) Nick Nolte's facial features... were (how to put this...) disturbing and distracting.Otherwise... a TERRIFIC Film!!!

marc 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.