Confusing ties
Prime
Dir Ben Younger. Starring Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman, Bryan Greenberg
There is a scene in Prime in which Dave (Bryan Greenburg) appeals to Rafi (Uma Thurman) to let him try to love her but also to allow all his mistakes along the way. This scene shows how Prime tries so earnestly to be something special, but somehow falls short in Ben Younger’s film wrote and directed the film. Uma Thurman plays the sultry divorcee Rafi, who, as a thirty-seven year-old woman, is appalled at her attraction to twentythree year-old David.
She discusses her budding relationship with her therapist, Dr Lisa Metzger (Meryl Streep). As Rafi discusses her excitement for her new beau, it suddenly becomes clear to Dr Metzger that Rafi is dating this her son. Metzger, unsure of the personal and professional boundary, keeps it a secret for as long as she can. The basic story provides plenty of entertainment.
The audience can both feel Rafi’s pain of having to give up a nine-year marriage and also laugh at the moments when she describes David’s penis at length to his horrified mother. If anything, however, the funny moments are awkward in the midst of a complex situation. Prime explores the question of what we are willing to sacrifice to be happy without abandoning basic principles.
It is a question studied time and time again in romantic comedies and while Younger’s film makes a noble effort, it provides nothing new in terms of revelations. The acting is the saving grace of the movie. Both Thurman and Streep give stellar performances, particularly when they share the screen. Thurman is perfect for the role, something that any sane man would be drawn to, no matter his age. Bryan Greenburg holds his own aside the established actresses.
Streep, as always, is nothing short of perfect in showing Dr Metzger’s inner conflict between duty to her patient and her son.
11th May 2006