Though some may argue that the film doesn't fully challenge white female privilege (or tire of Kate's crying), it's to the film's credit that it uses this as character detail and tries to mine humor and social commentary from it.

| Jan 11, 2021

Funny at times, Please Give is a surprisingly heartwarming coming-of-age film for six adults all passing through different stages of heir life.

| Original Score: A- | Sep 11, 2017

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 17, 2011

Holofcener writes, and helps to shape on-screen, characters we often don't even like, and what do we do? We invite them home with us. Talk about a soft touch.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Jul 6, 2010

A stroll with these characters is a refreshing break from from the usual film exercises.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 6, 2010

Keener has become Holofcener's artistic alter ego. In Please Give, the sharp-eyed filmmaker sends her vibrant representative out into the world to explore what it means for a woman to be lucky and still feel itchy.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | Jul 6, 2010

Life-goes-on movies usually don't electrify the senses, but this one stimulates moral imagination.

| Jul 6, 2010

Touching: that's what makes Holofcener's films so lovely. They are beady-eyed satires, sure, but they're also fundamentally kind-hearted.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 24, 2010

It sparks laughter by crossing the wires of human motivation, letting you see the hazards that exist in trying to be a good person.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 24, 2010

Nicole Holofcener's lovely Please Give is a small, modest movie, full of the sort of characters we might know, or be.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 18, 2010

Funny yet emotional, tragic yet full of hope, this is the type of character-driven story theatergoers could use to see more of, and as like as Holofcener is around here's hope more is exactly what it is we are going to get.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 17, 2010

Three dimensional characters, direct no nonsense dialogue and a dry sense of humour combine to create an understated thoroughly enjoyable feel-good film that leaves viewers with an invisible glow.

Full Review | Jun 17, 2010

Trifles, trivialities, frippery and froth. We've got plenty of words to describe things that don't matter. And now, we also have a film. Please Give.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 16, 2010

Holofcener's biggest ally against nauseating self-pity is Keener, her screen alter ego.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 16, 2010

An indie with real pedigree and smarts, Holofcener's comedy of manners is well-observered and well worth watching.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 14, 2010

Happily, the joy outweighs the guilt.

| Original Score: B | Jun 11, 2010

In a Holofcener film, the usual rules of screenwriting do not apply, which lends her work a lifelike quality that's particularly refreshing in this era of formulaic remakes and sequels.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 10, 2010

Nicole Holofcener is frequently lauded for writing vivid female characters, but such praise doesn't really do justice to her full game.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jun 4, 2010

Please Give is an almost perfectly rendered slice of life, buoyant with wonderful performances.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jun 4, 2010

There's no movie around right now with a subject more pertinent. It'll hit you hard.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 14, 2010