The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is complicated. There are so many things to like; a brilliant lead performance by Robin Wright Penn, impressive female ensemble cast, and compelling storyline- exploring the life of the ultimate people-pleaser. However, there are also immensely off-putting elements to the film; sugary chick-flick moments, the romantic subplot and a deeply unfulfilling conclusion.
Based on the novel of the same name, written by director, Rebecca Miller, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee introduces us to Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) the beautiful wife of a successful publisher, Herb Lee (Alan Arkin). Pippa and Herb have downsized to a small house in a retirement village following Herb’s multiple heart attacks. Pippa, who is decades younger than her husband, is out of place in her new surroundings. Heralded as the supreme artist’s wife and an enigma by one of Herb’s writers at a dinner party she is hosting, Pippa begins to reminisce about her young self. These memories, shown in flashback with the teenage/twentysomething Pippa played by Blake Lively (of Gossip Girl fame), increasingly impose on Pippa’s life and she begins to exhibit unusual behaviour.
Based on the novel of the same name, written by director, Rebecca Miller, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee introduces us to Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) the beautiful wife of a successful publisher, Herb Lee (Alan Arkin). Pippa and Herb have downsized to a small house in a retirement village following Herb’s multiple heart attacks. Pippa, who is decades younger than her husband, is out of place in her new surroundings. Heralded as the supreme artist’s wife and an enigma by one of Herb’s writers at a dinner party she is hosting, Pippa begins to reminisce about her young self. These memories, shown in flashback with the teenage/twentysomething Pippa played by Blake Lively (of Gossip Girl fame), increasingly impose on Pippa’s life and she begins to exhibit unusual behaviour.
click here to read my full review at Trespass
