Hanging Up 2000
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Plot Summary
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Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this film explores the intricate lives of the three Mozell sisters as they navigate their self-absorbed existences and the frequent interruptions of their phone conversations. The eldest sister, Georgia, at the age of 50, is a thriving single woman who oversees a successful women’s magazine. Meanwhile, the youngest sibling, Maddy, aged 34, is a somewhat clueless individual who has just landed a breakthrough role as a soap opera actress. In contrast, the middle sister, Eve, who is 39, lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Joe Marks (played by Adam Arkin), and their teenage son, Jesse. She often finds herself consumed with concern over her cantankerous 79-year-old father, Lou Mozell (Walter Matthau), who seems to be on the brink of death.
As the narrative unfolds, the sisters frequently engage in phone calls, often hanging up without the courtesy of a proper goodbye, in addition to the calls from Lou to Eve. When Lou experiences memory issues, Eve takes the crucial step of admitting him to the hospital for tests. During this time, Lou reflects on his past days spent crafting a screenplay with his wife for a John Wayne film. Their mother left them in the 1980s when she felt she was no longer in love and believed she had failed as a parent.
In a touching moment, Eve tries to care for Lou, who becomes increasingly senile and even mistakes her for an old flame named Cleo. Flashing back to 1988, Eve recalls the Christmas when she and her sisters visited Lou and stumbled upon him in bed with their dental hygienist. This visit prompts her to confront their mother, Pat, urging her to return to Lou, but she resolutely stands firm in her decision to leave him behind. In a bid to lift his spirits, Eve takes Lou out to fetch a Christmas tree.
In the present day, Maddy shows up with an enormous St. Bernard, causing a series of comedic moments. Meanwhile, Lou escapes from the hospital and wanders back to their house, prompting Eve to search for him. Recalling another flashback to 1993, Eve remembers throwing a grand Halloween gathering for Jesse, which goes awry when Lou arrives inebriated and disrupts the festivities.
As Eve manages her responsibilities, including planning for Georgia’s speech to a women’s group, she is informed that Lou has suffered a mini-stroke. Georgia, who tries to help by suggesting Lou sign a blank check, faces his refusal. In a desperate attempt to make peace with her father and to cope with her estrangement from her mother, Eve lies to Lou about his wife’s supposed death, to which he quietly responds, “I won.”
In a symbolic act of cutting ties, Eve collects all cell phones in her home and stores them away. At the women’s event, Georgia makes a grand entrance only to deliver a rather insincere eulogy about Lou that leaves her sisters shocked. A clash of emotions erupts between the siblings, especially as they all learn of Lou slipping into a coma.
As they sit vigil by Lou’s bedside, Eve struggles to remember the name of a sad blonde actress from the 1950s. Miraculously, Lou awakens long enough to respond with “June Allyson.” Their joy is short-lived as, moments later, Lou passes away, leaving the sisters in profound grief.
Months later, during a Thanksgiving gathering, the sisters engage in a light-hearted food fight while preparing the turkey, sharing cherished memories of their father dancing with them and their mother. The film poignantly captures their journey through love, loss, and the eternal bonds of family.
Timeline
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Introduction of the Mozell Sisters
The film opens with an introduction to the three Mozell sisters, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. Georgia, the eldest at 50, is a successful magazine editor, Maddy, the youngest at 34, is a novice soap opera actress, and Eve, the middle sister at 39, is managing her life in Los Angeles while caring for their elderly father.
Lou's Health Deteriorates
Eve's concern escalates when Lou, their 79-year-old father, shows signs of senility, prompting her to admit him to the hospital for tests. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the sisters’ understanding of their father's frailty and the challenges of caring for aging parents.
Flashback to Lou's Past
While in the hospital, Lou reflects on his past, reminiscing about writing a screenplay with his wife for a John Wayne film. This moment adds depth to his character, showcasing the cherished memories that shape his identity.
Eve's Attempt to Connect with Lou
As Lou's mental state worsens, he confuses Eve with an old flame, Cleo, highlighting the painful disconnect between them. Eve's emotional struggle to connect with her father reflects the complexity of familial relationships, especially in times of crisis.
Confronting Their Mother
Eve's flashback to Christmas 1988 shows her and her sisters discovering Lou with their dental hygienist. This shocking moment leads Eve to confront their mother, Pat, urging her to return to Lou, but Pat remains firm in her decision to leave, adding layers of familial tension.
Christmas Tree Outing
In an effort to boost Lou's spirits, Eve takes him out to get a Christmas tree. This outing serves as a moment of connection and nostalgia, allowing them to share some fleeting joy amidst the confusion of Lou's condition.
Maddy's Comedic Entrance
Maddy arrives with an enormous St. Bernard, creating a series of humorous moments that bring levity to the family's increasingly tense situation. This light-heartedness contrasts with the underlying struggles of the sisters as they cope with Lou's health.
Lou's Escape
In a surprising turn, Lou escapes the hospital and makes his way back home, causing alarm and concern among his daughters. Eve's frantic search for him reflects the chaos that defines their family life and highlights the urgency of Lou's declining health.
Eve Plans Georgia's Speech
As Eve juggles her responsibilities, she prepares for Georgia's upcoming speech to a women's group. Her efforts illustrate the pressures the sisters face in balancing their personal aspirations with family obligations.
Eve Lies to Lou
In a desperate attempt to make peace with her father, Eve lies about her mother supposedly passing away. Lou's quiet response, 'I won,' underscores the complexity of their relationship and the unspoken truths they navigate as a family.
Georgia's Eulogy
At the women's event, Georgia delivers a eulogy for Lou that comes across as insincere, shocking her sisters. This moment sparks a clash of emotions amongst the sisters, highlighting their unresolved issues with both Lou and their mother.
Lou's Coma
As the sisters gather by Lou's bedside during his final moments, they confront their grief when they learn he has slipped into a coma. Their vigil reflects the culmination of their emotional journey, filled with love, anger, and unresolved feelings.
Lou Passes Away
In a heartbreaking moment, Lou awakens briefly to respond to Eve, but he soon passes away. The loss of their father leaves the sisters in profound grief, marking a significant transition in their lives that they must now navigate together.
Thanksgiving Gathering
Months later, the sisters gather for Thanksgiving, engaging in a light-hearted food fight while preparing the turkey. This moment of joy and laughter amidst memories of their father illustrates the enduring bonds of family despite their loss.
Cherishing Memories
As they reminisce about their father, the sisters share cherished memories of him dancing with them and their mother. This poignant reflection not only honors their past but also solidifies the love that binds them together as sisters.
Characters
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Georgia Mozell (Diane Keaton)
Georgia is the eldest sister and a successful editor of a women’s magazine, embodying independence and ambition. However, beneath her composed exterior lies a struggle to connect with her family, demonstrating a yearning for acceptance and love amid her professional achievements.
Maddy Mozell (Lisa Kudrow)
The youngest sister, Maddy, is portrayed as somewhat naive and eager, recently achieving her dream of becoming a soap opera actress. Her character adds a comedic element to the narrative while also reflecting the challenges of finding her place within a complicated family dynamic.
Eve Mozell (Meg Ryan)
Eve is the middle sister, caught between her familial duties and personal struggles. Deeply affected by her father's health issues, she embodies the theme of caregiving while also grappling with resentment towards her mother. Her character illustrates the sacrifice and emotional turmoil inherent in family care.
Setting
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Time period
1980s, 1993, 1998
Set across several decades, the story reflects on significant moments from the 1980s to the late 1990s. This time period is marked by changing family dynamics, shifting societal roles, and the emotional impact of aging and loss. Flashbacks further explore how these years shaped the sisters' relationships and their connection with their father.
Location
New York City, Los Angeles
The film takes place mainly in the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of New York City, known for its dynamic culture and relentless pace. New York City serves as a backdrop for the intricate lives of the Mozell sisters, highlighting the contrasts in their lifestyles, especially with Eve's life in the more laid-back Los Angeles.
Themes
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Family Struggles
The film deeply explores the complexities of familial relationships, particularly among the Mozell sisters as they deal with their father's declining health. It juxtaposes humor against profound moments of grief and reconciliation, highlighting the enduring yet tumultuous bonds between siblings. Love, regret, and the need for closure resonate throughout the narrative.
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Communication
A central theme is the challenge of communication within the family, epitomized by the sisters' phone calls that often lack genuine closure. Their interactions reveal both the intimacy and distance that can exist in family relationships, illustrating how technology can both connect and complicate ties. Moments of misunderstanding emphasize the need for honest dialogue.
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Memories
Memories serve as a poignant motif in the film, showcasing how they shape identity and relationships. Through flashbacks, the sisters confront joyful and painful recollections of their father and their mother, weaving a narrative of nostalgia that influences their present decisions. This theme explores the difficulty of letting go and the impact of the past on the future.
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