Blu-Ray Review: HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS

Starring Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Stephen Root, Elizabeth Reaser, Natasha Lyonne, Tyne Daly. Directed by Michael Showalter. (2015, 90 min).
SONY

Of course, we all agree Sally Field has always been adorable. That was scientifically proven decades ago. Her days as a leading lady may now be few and far between, but she's had the good sense to age gracefully. And you know what? She's still pretty damned adorable, even when playing an aging, lonely, anxiety-ridden eccentric, the title character in Hello, My Name is Doris and a role which seems tailor-made for her.

Doris' days have consisted of the same routine most of her life, toiling in a cubicle of a Manhattan office building while taking care of her ailing mother. Her life is thrown into turmoil when her mother dies and her brother (along with his bitchy wife) insists she sells the house...no small feat since Doris is resistant to change and a compulsive hoarder. At work, she becomes smitten with John (Max Greenfield), a charming & handsome executive who's a third her age. After attending a motivational speaker seminar with her best friend (Tyne Daly), Doris becomes hopeful that she and John could be more than just co-workers.

Doris discovers Free Kittens Movie Guide.

This premise could have been depressing (maybe a little bit creepy) in the wrong hands, but instead, it's generally sweet, poignant and often quite funny, even during moments when we're sort-of cringing at some of Doris' actions (like a drunken Facebook post...who hasn't done that?). Field, however, manages to make us truly like Doris. Despite her eccentricities and somewhat delusional expectations, Doris is never depicted as a clown or object of ridicule. Director/co-writer Michael Showalter also does an admirable job keeping things light and unpredictable, peppering the story with interesting, complex supporting characters and giving the film an ending that's both surprising and, to a certain extent, audience rousing.

It's been a long time since Sally Field has been tasked to carry the majority of a movie on her shoulders, but she definitely still has the acting chops to pull it off. Hello, My Name is Doris is a charming little dramatic comedy that features one of her best (and more adorable) performances in years.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Deleted Scenes
• Alternate Ending
• Audio Commentary by Michael Showalter

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS.