Written and directed by a woman in her mid-30s who was raised in New York, Joanna Arnow’s The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed hits home in a multitude of ways. I know what it’s like to work in Manhattan and have many conversations with nervous family members while walking 20 blocks around Greenwich Village. Similarly, I also know what it’s like to encounter the frustrating dating scene that the Big Apple has to offer, and how rare it is to find someone to sing obnoxious theater tunes to (regardless of their genuine interest.) But what make Arnow’s movie more intriguing are the elements of the plot I can’t relate to.
L-R: Joanna Arnow and Scott Cohen in THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
The film centers around Ann (played by Arnow), an offbeat 30-something who uses her blunt delivery like a conventional hero would use a sword. She (like many of us) has a lot going on in her life — she’s trying to keep her parents happy, attempting to survive a job that makes her feel like garbage, and, most importantly, is enthralled in a unique, decade-long relationship with an older man named Allen (Scott Cohen). And while she might appear to be satisfied with her current situation, it becomes clear that Ann wants more than what her family, career, and “master” can offer her.
Joanna Arnow in THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
But that begs the question — what is it that Ann exactly wants from these various people? Does she crave respect? What about a genuine connection? Those are the questions Arnow refuses to answer with a simple phrase. Instead, The Feeling takes viewers on an uncomfortable journey (in vignette style) through Ann’s own discovery of her very specific desires, regardless of whether she (or Arnow) has a clear idea of what those are.
One element of Ann’s complicated puzzle is, of course, her sexual escapades with Allen. Unlike the delicious chemistry of Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader in Steven Shainberg’s Secretary, Ann and Allen’s relationship is built upon comedic mortification. The pair don’t sizzle in their intimacy, but rather jump off the panels of a newspaper comic in their uncomfortable realism. This is especially the case when it comes to the pure disinterest Allen has in Ann’s own thoughts and feelings to the point where he ties a piece of cloth around her mouth so she can no longer communicate her requests.
Does that mean this kind of interaction is all Ann wants out of a relationship? Clearly that isn’t the case, as Arnow goes out of her way to show Ann’s drive to find not only other “sexfriends,” but perhaps even more taboo, an actual romantic partner. Yet, as the movie goes on, it’s clear that Ann can’t handle platonic normalcy. She’s confused by a simple kiss and often questions what a make-out session really means.
At the same time that Ann attempts to uncover her own romantic mysteries, she’s also trying to figure out her mom and dad (played by Arnow’s real life parental figures). From comments about her folks “giving up” on her future to her mother trying to nurture her daughter with pointless advice, it would seem that Ann wants to be more than a failure in her family’s eyes. Though when her parents try to connect, Ann often finds a way to reject their love, especially when that love involves a folk song.
L-R: Babak Tafti and Joanna Arnow in THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Finally, there’s Ann’s job. Throughout the film’s hour and a half runtime, we discover that Ann’s tech-adjacent career is one built upon disappointment as much as disrespect. Her current boss downgrades her title and Ann’s co-workers often comment on how everything she does is basic. But as she starts taking control of her work life, it seems that all her efforts towards gaining esteem from her colleagues don’t amount to much at all by the film’s end.
All of these elements (along with a multitude of others) speak to the uncomfortable realities of Arnow’s script, because, even with all of the effort our leading lady puts into her existence, the film’s conclusion comes across more like a reversal of fortune than a rewarding ending for Ann as a character. To put it simply, it’s a frustrating ending to endure after everything we’ve been through with this character.
Thankfully, Arnow (Laying Out; Charmed for Life) makes this exercise in patience fascinating on a technical level. Her confidence as an editor is easy to see, especially when she chooses to linger in the film’s most unnerving moments both in the bedroom or outside on the city streets. Similarly, Barton Cortright’s (Downtown Owl) cinematography adds to the uneasy feeling during Ann’s most bizarre sexual encounters, making us want to reach into the screen and get her out of these embarrassing situations.
Another highlight of The Feeling are the performances within it. Acting pro Scott Cohen (who most viewers remember for his work in The 10th Kingdom and Gilmore Girls) does a fantastic job playing against the bookish type fans love him for. His Allen is bitter, calculated, and unphased, making it easy to believe why he would thrive in this dom-role for so many years with Ann. Similarly, Babak Tafti (Swallow) brings a charming quality to the role of Chris, Ann’s “non-sexfriend” boyfriend. Not only does he have great chemistry with Arnow, but he evokes the boyish whimsy that makes him a perfect New York hunk — messy graphic tees and all.
L-R: Babak Tafti and Joanna Arnow in THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
But the true star is, of course, Joanna Arnow. Both in front of and behind the camera, she commands your attention with her distinctive artistic voice and even more memorable on-screen presentation. Much in the grand tradition of other iconic glasses-wearing protagonists (such as Thora Birch in Ghost World), Arnow’s brilliance comes from her Olympic-quality precision in her delivery. You understand the tight-rope act she’s attempting to perform as she tries to make Ann believable, lovable, but also, insufferable.
Joanna Arnow in THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Ultimately, The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed is a challenging piece of indie filmmaking fueled by frustrating choices. Its narrative feels like you’re watching a friend repeatedly make terrible life decisions while you scream at them to stop from the sidelines. Yet, at the same time, there’s no denying that Arnow’s perspective has the potential to take the comedic genre in a new, refreshing direction. Will it make me want to grab a bottle of antibacterial from time to time? Likely. But I’ll endure it for a good chuckle.
In NYC theaters beginning April 26th, 2024.
Expanding into select theaters May 10th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Magnolia Pictures The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed webpage.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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