Landline Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A New York family in the 90s discovers that infidelity is apparently contagious, forcing two sisters to bond over their parents’ cheating and their own terrible romantic decisions.

🍿 Landline: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meet the Jacobs Family

Set in Manhattan in 1995, the film introduces the Jacobs family: parents Pat and Alan, older daughter Dana, and younger daughter Ali. Pat and Alan’s marriage appears strained, while Dana is engaged to Ben, though their relationship seems to have hit a rut. High schooler Ali is more focused on social life and experimenting than college applications.

Secrets Begin to Surface

One night, after returning home, Ali stumbles upon sensitive documents on her father’s computer containing love letters addressed to a mysterious woman identified only as “C.” This discovery raises immediate suspicions about her father, Alan, potentially having an affair. Around the same time, Dana encounters Nate, an ex-boyfriend, which leads to a flirtatious interaction that hints at dissatisfaction in her own committed relationship.

Sisters Investigate and Bond

Disturbed by her discovery, Ali confronts her sister Dana. Together, the sisters embark on a covert mission to uncover the identity of the mysterious “C” and confirm their father’s potential infidelity. This shared secret and investigation begin to forge a closer bond between the previously somewhat estranged siblings as they navigate uncertainty about their parents’ marriage.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dana Jacobs (Jenny Slate): A young woman navigating infidelity in her own relationship while discovering her family’s secrets in 1990s Manhattan.
• Alan Jacobs (John Turturro): The father whose secret affair causes turmoil within his seemingly stable family.
• Pat Jacobs (Edie Falco): The mother who attempts to hold her family together while confronting her husband’s infidelity and her daughters’ struggles.
• Ali Jacobs (Abby Quinn): The rebellious teenage daughter who uncovers her father’s secret and explores her own identity and independence.
• Nate (Jay Duplass): Dana’s patient fiancé who is increasingly frustrated by her impulsive behavior and family drama.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ali: “Call my mom if I die.” – Said with dark humor to her older sister Dana before taking her first hit of heroin.
• Nate: “Monogamy doesn’t exist.” – Said dismissively to Dana when she expresses being upset about her father’s affair, revealing his cynical view on relationships.
• Dana: “I’m not sure about the direction of my life.” – Shared with her father during a conversation where she begins to confront her own uncertainties about her relationship and future.
• Alan: “You were appalled by even my touch for many years.” – Said to his wife Pat during a heated argument, expressing his long-standing feelings of rejection within their marriage.
• Pat: “I know about Carla.” – Revealed calmly to Alan after they have sex, confirming that she is aware of his affair despite his previous attempts to hide it.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $940,854
• Worldwide Gross: $940,854

💥 Landline Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Landline’ and honestly, the 90s setting alone was a huge win for me. It just brought back so many memories! Seeing things like clunky computers and having to use a literal landline wall phone felt surprisingly comforting and authentic. The family dynamic was messy but felt really real. I totally connected with the sisters trying to figure things out while their parents’ lives were also blowing up. Jenny Slate is just amazing; she makes her character’s questionable choices understandable, and her chemistry with Abby Quinn as her younger sister felt totally believable – that mix of annoyance and deep-down connection. There were moments that made me cringe (in a good, relatable way) and others that felt genuinely moving. It’s not a perfect movie, and some parts dragged a little, but overall, I felt invested in these characters and their chaotic journey through trust and betrayal. It left me thinking about how messy families are and how sometimes you find connection in the most unexpected ways.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven family dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those nostalgic for the 1990s”
  • “Audiences who enjoy Jenny Slate’s work”
  • “People looking for films about complex relationships and infidelity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use (depiction of)”

Professional Reviews

• Indie Reel: “Gillian Robespierre and Jenny Slate team up again for this messy, heartfelt dramedy set in 1995. While the plot sometimes feels a touch generic, the authentic performances, particularly from Slate and Abby Quinn as the sisters, elevate the material. It’s strongest when exploring the chaotic but real dynamics of family and infidelity, wrapped up in a thick blanket of 90s nostalgia that’s never overbearing.
• City Life Observer: “Landline captures the mid-90s New York vibe perfectly, from the fashion to the lack of ubiquitous cell phones. The cast is excellent, with Edie Falco and John Turturro anchoring the parental struggles. The film embraces discomfort and flawed characters, feeling very true-to-life even when the narrative occasionally loses focus. A relatable, if sometimes uneven, look at family lies.
• Film Fanatic: “This coming-of-age (and mid-life crisis) story benefits greatly from its talented ensemble. Slate and Quinn have fantastic chemistry as sisters navigating relationship chaos and parental secrets. The humor is woven subtly into the drama, often found in awkward or uncomfortable situations. While some plot points feel rushed, the film’s honesty about human imperfection resonates.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the nostalgic trip back to the 1990s New York setting.: Many appreciated the authentic portrayal of complicated family dynamics and the strong performances from the cast, especially the chemistry between the two sisters.

The film’s honest approach to infidelity and its impact on the family resonated with audiences.: People found the blend of comedy and drama effective, highlighting moments that were both funny and painfully relatable.

Overall Consensus: A relatable and well-acted dramedy praised for its authentic 90s setting and portrayal of a messy family dealing with infidelity, though some found the plot uneven.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Costume designer Liz Vastola took inspiration from the TV show ‘Seinfeld’ to achieve an accurate depiction of 90s fashion.”
• “The film is a reunion for director Gillian Robespierre and star Jenny Slate, who previously collaborated on the acclaimed indie comedy ‘Obvious Child’.”
• “In a notable goof, Adele’s album ’25’, which was released in 2015, can be seen in the background of a record store scene set in 1995.”
• “The film’s setting in 1995 highlights the era before widespread cell phones and the internet, making landlines a central plot device and symbol of communication at the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Landline?

Discover where to watch ‘Landline’ (2017). As an independent film, it’s typically available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube Movies. You can also check subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max, as availability changes periodically. To find the current best price or if it’s streaming free with your subscription, use a service like JustWatch or Reelgood.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Landline, you might like these similar films:

• The Squid and the Whale (2005): A sharp, semi-autobiographical indie dramedy about a family navigating the complexities of parental infidelity and divorce from the children’s perspective, featuring similar themes of dysfunction and coming-of-age.
• Lady Bird (2017): A critically acclaimed coming-of-age story released the same year, focusing on a complex mother-daughter relationship and the protagonist’s search for identity, sharing ‘Landline’s’ honest, character-driven approach.
• Reality Bites (1994): Captures the same mid-1990s era in a major city (Houston, but evokes the vibe), focusing on young adults navigating relationships, careers, and finding their place, resonating with the older sister’s storyline.
• Obvious Child (2014): Directed by the same filmmaker (Gillian Robespierre) and starring Jenny Slate, this film shares a similar comedic and raw tone while dealing with challenging personal decisions and relationships from a female perspective.
• High Fidelity (2000): While slightly later, it’s deeply rooted in 90s music and relationship culture, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and self-reflection through witty dialogue and a character-centric narrative, which would appeal to fans of ‘Landline’s’ era-specific feel and relationship focus.

🛒 Landline Related Products

• Landline Official Movie Poster: Own a piece of the film with this official poster featuring the cast against a classic NYC backdrop. Perfect for displaying your love for this indie gem.
• Totally 90s Hits: The Ultimate Collection (Various Artists): Dive back into the iconic sounds of the era with this compilation featuring popular hits from the mid-1990s. Includes genres and artists that defined the decade.
• Navigating the Family Maze: Understanding Relationships: Explore the complexities of parent-child and sibling relationships, trust, and navigating difficult family dynamics. Offers insights and perspectives on themes similar to those in the movie.
• 90s Fashion: A Decade of Style: A visual guide to the defining fashion trends of the 1990s, including styles seen in the film. From grunge to preppy, relive the era’s unique looks.

🎧 Soundtrack

Landline features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Higher Love” – performed by Steve Winwood

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jenny Slate on New Movie Landline

Want to hear from one of the stars of Landline? Jenny Slate chats with Jimmy Kimmel about the movie, and honestly, her energy is just infectious!

Finn Wittrock on Working with Sally Field & New Film Landline

Curious about the cast dynamic in Landline? Finn Wittrock shares his experience making the film and even talks about working with the legendary Sally Field – sounds like a great set!

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