Hello I Must Be Going 2012
Directed by
Todd Louiso
Made by
Oscilloscope Pictures
Plot Summary
As Amy Minsky faces the oppressive weight of her impending divorce from her husband David, an entertainment lawyer, she retreats to her childhood home in Westport, Connecticut. Once a spirited thirty-something, Amy now finds herself trapped in a fog of lethargy, spending her days immersed in classic comedies, especially those featuring the Marx Brothers. However, her mother, Ruth, persistently nudges her back into the world, insisting she attend a dinner party for friends Gwen and Larry Hammer. Meanwhile, Stan, Amy’s father and a lawyer with his own aspirations, hopes to win Larry as a client, which would allow him to realize his dream of traveling the world with Ruth.
During the dinner, tension builds when the topic of Amy’s stalled career arises, revealing her abandonment of a master’s degree in photography to marry David. Things spiral further when Ruth makes a casual comment about Amy’s childhood weight, pushing her to seek refuge in the home’s new addition. It is here that Jeremy Hammer, Larry’s 19-year-old son and a burgeoning actor, finds her, leading to a fervent kiss that sparks an unexpected and secretive affair between them, creating a web of deception due to their respective familial ties and the age difference.
As this covert romance unfolds, Amy slowly begins to rediscover her self-esteem. In a twist, Jeremy’s mother, Gwen, mistakenly interprets the relationship as a sign of her son’s supposed homosexuality, a theory he willingly supports. As their bond deepens, Jeremy starts questioning his acting career, which he feels pressured into pursuing only to appease his mother, navigating the complexities of ambition and affection.
However, challenges arise when Amy rebuffs Jeremy’s idealistic visions of their future together, prioritizing her father’s retirement plans over her own desires. This leads her to reluctantly agree to a lackluster date with Phil, a recently divorced man, which starkly highlights her emotional discontent.
In a pivotal moment, Amy heads to New York City for a crucial meeting with David to finalize their divorce. The emotional weight of their breakup becomes clear, as David’s smug justifications for their marriage’s collapse shock Amy into a newfound resolve. She demands a fair divorce settlement, grateful for the opportunity to escape the clutches of their unfulfilling union.
The family’s reunion to celebrate Stan’s business success is marred by tension, with Jeremy still reeling from a previous argument with Amy. When Amy takes the initiative to apologize, their heartfelt moment on the couch is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of their parents.
As events unfold, Ruth faces the disappointment of Stan’s choice not to retire, revealing his struggle with stepping away from his career. Amy reassures him about their travel plans, announcing her intent to eventually leave the family home for a place of her own.
In a bittersweet farewell, Amy visits Jeremy before he starts his journey to Oberlin College. They agree to remain friends, highlighted by Amy’s revelation of her plans to complete her Master’s thesis and travel around the world with her mother. As Amy drives away in a taxi, she feels rejuvenated and unburdened by her past, allowing the film to conclude on a note of hope and new beginnings.
Timeline
Amy's Retreat
Amy Minsky, facing the weight of her impending divorce from her husband David, decides to retreat to her childhood home in Westport, Connecticut. This decision marks the beginning of her journey toward self-discovery as she grapples with her stagnant life and longing for the past.
Days of Isolation
In Westport, Amy finds herself trapped in a fog of lethargy, spending her days lost in classic comedies, particularly those featuring the Marx Brothers. This escapism reflects her emotional turmoil and dissatisfaction with her current situation.
Mother's Encouragement
Ruth, Amy's mother, persistently encourages her to re-engage with the world by attending a dinner party held for their friends Gwen and Larry Hammer. This slight push signifies the beginning of Amy's gradual re-emergence from her shell.
Dinner Tensions
During the dinner party, conversations turn tense when the subject of Amy's stalled career emerges, exposing her decision to abandon her photography studies for her marriage. This triggers feelings of regret and self-doubt, exacerbating her internal conflict.
The Unexpected Kiss
Seeking solace from the uncomfortable dinner atmosphere, Amy finds refuge in a new addition to the family home where she encounters Jeremy Hammer, Larry's son. Their fervent kiss ignites a secret romance that complicates their family ties and deepens Amy's emotional struggles.
Complicated Revelations
As their clandestine relationship develops, Jeremy starts to question his acting career, which he feels pressured into pursuing for his mother's approval. Amy, in turn, begins to regain her self-esteem, navigating the complex interplay between ambition and affection.
Conflicting Priorities
Amy's relationship with Jeremy faces challenges when she prioritizes her father's retirement plans over their future together. This internal conflict underscores her struggle to assert her own desires amid familial expectations.
Lackluster Date
In a moment of vulnerability, Amy reluctantly agrees to a lackluster date with Phil, a recently divorced man. This experience starkly highlights her emotional distress and dissatisfaction with her life choices, further illustrating her search for fulfillment.
Divorce Meeting in NYC
Amy heads to New York City for a critical meeting with David to finalize their divorce. The emotional weight of their past relationship comes to a head as David's smug justifications for their breakup shock Amy, igniting her resolve to pursue a fair settlement.
Family Reunion Tensions
The family's reunion to celebrate Stan's business success is overshadowed by tension, especially between Amy and Jeremy after their recent fight. Amy takes a step to apologize, hoping to mend their relationship, but their heartfelt moment is interrupted by their parents’ arrival.
Stan's Struggles
Amy’s father, Stan, reveals his struggle with the decision to not retire, leading to disappointment for Ruth. In a show of support, Amy reassures Stan about their travel plans, symbolizing her desire to support her family while seeking her own path.
Bittersweet Farewell
Before Jeremy begins his journey to Oberlin College, Amy pays him a visit to bid farewell. They agree to remain friends, and during this parting, she shares plans to complete her Master’s thesis, hinting at her own ambitions.
New Beginnings
As Amy drives away in a taxi after saying goodbye to Jeremy, she feels rejuvenated and free from her past. This moment of release illustrates her commitment to moving forward, ready to embrace new opportunities and her future.
Characters
Amy Minsky
Amy is a thirty-something woman grappling with a stagnant life and an impending divorce. Once vibrant and ambitious, she finds herself lost in the expectations of family and the weight of past decisions. Her journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment forms the emotional core of the film.
Jeremy Hammer
Jeremy is a young aspiring actor who becomes involved with Amy amidst her personal turmoil. His character represents the fresh perspective that challenges Amy to confront her stagnation. Throughout their relationship, he grapples with his own ambitions and familial pressures, adding layers to his character.
Ruth Minsky
Ruth is Amy’s mother, a well-meaning yet sometimes intrusive figure who strives to push Amy back into the world. Her desire for Amy to succeed and her own regrets about life create tension, showcasing the complexity of a mother-daughter relationship. Ruth embodies both support and the weight of expectation.
Stan Minsky
Stan, Amy's father, is a lawyer caught between his ambitions and family. His struggles with retirement and the dynamics of his marriage to Ruth add depth to the narrative. He is portrayed as a supportive yet flawed figure who also grapples with the expectations of his own life.
Setting
Time period
The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as the challenges of divorce and self-discovery. It captures the struggles of a generation navigating personal aspirations against family expectations, resonating with audiences through relatable themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Location
Westport, Connecticut, New York City
Westport, Connecticut, serves as the backdrop for much of the film, representing Amy's childhood and the weight of her family expectations. Known for its affluent community and picturesque scenery, it's a place of both comfort and confinement for Amy. In contrast, New York City symbolizes opportunity and independence, where Amy confronts her past and seeks closure in her tumultuous marriage.
Themes
💔
Divorce
The theme of divorce permeates the film, portraying Amy's struggle to cope with the emotional fallout from her marriage. It delves into the complexities of relationships and the personal journey required to heal and redefine one’s identity post-separation. This theme resonates deeply as it illustrates the pain of letting go while finding the strength to move forward.
🌱
Self-Discovery
Self-discovery is a central theme as Amy navigates her identity beyond being a wife and starts reconnecting with her aspirations. Through her relationship with Jeremy and her reflection on her choices, she embarks on a journey of growth. The film highlights the importance of reclaiming one’s passions and the journey necessary to feel whole again.
👩👧
Family Dynamics
Family dynamics play a crucial role, illustrating the often-complicated relationships that shape Amy's experiences. The film explores themes of expectation, disappointment, and support, showcasing how familial ties influence personal choices. It reflects the often messy nature of family life, balancing between love and the desire for independence.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.