“This is not a catastrophe.”
synopsis
After discovering a suspicious love letter addressed to her husband, Eliza enlists her eccentric family for an impulsive trip into Manhattan to confront him. What begins as a simple mission spirals into a day of emotional revelations, petty grievances, and long-simmering family tensions.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
This sharp indie ensemble piece captures the chaos of overlapping personalities trapped in close quarters. The humor arises from miscommunication and generational friction rather than slapstick. Parker Posey, in particular, injects volatility and wit into every scene. Beneath the surface comedy lies an honest portrait of insecurity and relational uncertainty. It’s compact, talk-driven, and rooted in recognizable human pettiness — social entanglement at street level.
A mood for compact indie ensembles
Viewers who enjoy character-driven tension
A casual but thoughtful evening watch
Fans of 1990s indie sensibility
Absurdist's Corner
An entire extended family decides the best way to handle marital suspicion is a coordinated suburban caravan invasion.
fun facts
One of Greg Mottola’s early films before Superbad.
Parker Posey became emblematic of 1990s indie cinema.
The film unfolds largely over a single day.
It premiered at Sundance to strong critical reception.