She Came to Me

When asked what the most unappreciated movie of 2023 was, She Came to Me is the clearcut winner. It isn’t even close. Nobody saw it, and most critics dismissed it. But this little romantic comedy weaves a touching depiction of various lives into a compelling chronicle that illustrates the power of humanity.

Opera! Tug boats!! Nuns! OCD! Infidelity! Civil War reenactments! This account throws a dizzying mix of ideas into a sprawling narrative. Amazingly, these serendipitous interactions converge seamlessly into a cohesive whole. It’s a poignant reminder of how profoundly we can impact our fellow man.

Writer-director Rebecca Miller is well acquainted with the art of drama. Being the daughter of playwright Arthur Miller and the wife of Daniel Day-Lewis has undoubtedly given her a plethora of experience. She’s an Independent Spirit and Gotham Award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker who has written and directed seven features. The Ballad of Jack and Rose and Maggie’s Plan are perhaps the most famous, but nothing prepared me for the depth and emotion of her latest work. She Came to Me ranks up there with the kind of dramas that used to get made by directors like James L. Brooks and Herbert Ross. Miller deserves a bigger audience.

At its core, this is a portrait of three main characters who live in Brooklyn, New York. Opera composer Steven Lauddem (Peter Dinklage) is suffering from writer’s block, his wife (and therapist) is the high-strung Patricia Jessup-Lauddem (Anne Hathaway), and Katrina Trento (Marisa Tomei) is the tugboat captain Steven happens to meet in a bar. Their palpable chemistry pulses with sincerity and truth. It’s a vibrant web of social bonds.

Rebecca Miller’s screenplay showcases the complicated developments of assorted individuals that eventually intersect in unexpected and meaningful ways. Their paths are heavily affected by Patricia’s son Julian (Evan Ellison), his girlfriend Tereza (Harlow Jane), Tereza’s mother Magdalena (Joanna Kulig), and Magdalena’s boyfriend Trey (Brian d’Arcy). This tapestry of human relationships is creatively woven into a collective quilt. It is farfetched at times and even silly, sure, but that mirrors the unpredictable nature of life itself. Our desire to form connections with others is presented here in a way that had me celebrating the beauty of people. This movie ultimately champions a little feeling called love.

10-10-23