Overview
A poignant exploration of life, love, and the complexities of human connection in Manhattan.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- acerbic
- compassionate
- quiet evening
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Nicole Holofcener's sharp dialogue, realistic female characters, ethical themes, and pitch-perfect ensemble performances, while noting that the plotting is relatively casual.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kate and Alex's privilege, the planned apartment expansion, and their encounters with illness and poverty generate persistent questions about whether doing good can become self-serving.
The film's energy comes from clashing worldviews and behavioral tics across Kate, Alex, Mary, Rebecca, Abby, and the elderly women.
Marriage, adolescence, dating, infidelity, work, and end-of-life care become sources of abrasive humor and ethical reflection.
The neighboring Manhattan apartments, upscale retro-furniture business, clinic work, and anticipated property expansion frame the characters' moral unease.
Films like Please Give, and why
Friends with Money
shared adult ensemble comedy, urban moral unease, and sharply observed relationship dynamics
Enough Said
shared female-centered dramedy, acerbic dialogue, and themes of privilege, guilt, and emotional disconnection
Lovely & Amazing
shared intimate urban comedy-drama, imperfect adults, and compassionate scrutiny of family relationships
The Kids Are All Right
shared bittersweet ensemble storytelling, ethical discomfort, and understated contemporary domestic realism
Movie Details
- Director
- Nicole Holofcener
- Release Date
- 2010-04-30
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (167)
Cast
- Catherine Keener
- Amanda Peet
- Oliver Platt
- Rebecca Hall
- Ann Morgan Guilbert
- Lois Smith
- Sarah Steele
- Thomas Ian Nicholas
- Elizabeth Keener
- Elise Ivy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Please Give about?
- In Manhattan, intertwined neighbors and relatives confront the uneasy gap between wanting to be good and knowing how to help.
- What is Please Give like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Please Give as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Please Give violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Please Give as mild.
- What did critics think of Please Give?
- Critics broadly praised Nicole Holofcener's sharp dialogue, realistic female characters, ethical themes, and pitch-perfect ensemble performances, while noting that the plotting is relatively casual.
- Which films are like Please Give?
- Films with a similar feel include Friends with Money, Enough Said, Lovely & Amazing, and The Kids Are All Right.
- How long is Please Give?
- Please Give runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Please Give?
- In United States, Please Give streams on fuboTV.
