Spinster – what an old fashioned word. Maybe it made sense back in the day when a woman had to marry in order to survive. But these days, when a woman can choose to be single and do just fine, the spinster concept is long gone. Somebody already used the phrase living single, so for this charming Canadian film, spinster it is. The film is streaming on Prime Video.
On Gaby’s (Chelsea Peretti) 39th birthday, her current relationship ends. He takes all his furniture and belongings and moves out of his own apartment to get away from Gaby. The remainder of the movie (it ends on Gaby’s 40th) shows Gaby slowly fill her empty apartment with furniture as she learns that it’s okay to be single. It’s better than a crappy relationship.
She begins the year with a series of ridiculous online dates, but ends it knowing what she wants for herself. I enjoyed watching Gaby grow as a person and as a single woman who was happy with herself. I was glad to get away from the comedy world of looking for a relationship that formed the first act. The rest of the film was more grounded and more interesting.
Gaby is a caterer. She dreams of owning her own restaurant. She’s cynical and pessimistic and expects the world to end at any minute. Nevertheless, she persists.
Gaby’s sister, Amanda (Susan Kent), has the husband and the kids and she’s no happier than Gaby.
Gaby’s brother, Alex (David Rosetti), is in the midst of a divorce and is no happier than Gaby.
Alex asks Gaby to watch his daughter Adele (Nadia Tonen) one night a week as the custody agreements on the divorce are worked out. Gaby doesn’t want to be a mom, but she’s a terrific aunt.
Other important folks in the story include the new used dog, Gaby’s dad (Bill Carr), and Gaby’s liberated upstairs neighbor (Kate Lynch). Plus there’s a man named Will (Jonathan Watton) she only knows for one day. But it was a significant day.
This lovely female story was directed by Andrea Dorfman and written by Jennifer Deyell. The film was shot on the Atlantic coast of Canada. While reading the bios of the actors, I realized many of them were from Halifax, Nova Scotia in general, and Prince Edward Island. If you’re making an indie, put the locals to work!
The trailer tells a little too much, but here it is.
Have you seen this one? What did you think of it?
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I haven’t watched the movie yet, but I enjoyed your review. It is sad and even awkward to live alone, man or woman, when you become debilitated. A movie on how to deal with that would be compelling.
Regardless, thanks for another great review.
That would be a good topic. I’ve seen a few films like that, but not many.