Hanging Up Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three sisters try to manage their messy lives and dying father, mostly via extremely expensive 90s cell phones, proving that intergenerational trauma is just a dropped call away.

🍿 Hanging Up: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of the Mozell Sisters

The film introduces Georgia, Eve, and Maddy Mozell, three sisters navigating their busy and often self-absorbed lives. Georgia is a successful magazine editor in New York, Eve is a party planner in Los Angeles juggling family responsibilities, and Maddy is a struggling soap opera actress. Their primary mode of communication is, often abruptly ended, phone calls, highlighting their disconnection and the film’s theme.

Lou’s Declining Health

Their 79-year-old father, Lou, begins to show signs of dementia, prompting Eve to take on the primary caregiver role. Lou’s condition becomes increasingly challenging, marked by memory problems and erratic behavior. Flashbacks reveal Lou’s past as a screenwriter and his struggles with alcoholism, adding context to his strained relationships with his daughters. These flashbacks are a combination of comedic and poignant, highlighting the complexities of family dynamics.

Strained Family Dynamics

Eve struggles to balance her responsibilities to her father, her husband Joe, and their son Jesse, leading to increased stress and tension. Georgia and Maddy remain largely distant, prioritizing their careers over helping with Lou’s care. Their phone calls become a source of frustration for Eve, as she feels unsupported and overwhelmed by her sisters’ perceived indifference. This distance creates a rift that threatens to fracture their already fragile family bond.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eve Marks (Meg Ryan): Eve is a stressed event planner and the middle sister who bears the primary responsibility of caring for her ailing, elderly father.
• Georgia (Diane Keaton): Georgia is the eldest sister, a driven magazine editor who often prioritizes her career over family obligations.
• Maddy (Lisa Kudrow): Maddy is the youngest sister, a somewhat vapid soap opera actress struggling to find her identity and connect with her family.
• Lou Mozell (Walter Matthau): Lou is the cantankerous and increasingly senile father of the three sisters, whose declining health brings the family together.
• Joe Marks (Adam Arkin): Joe is Eve’s husband, a supportive figure who tries to help her balance her responsibilities and maintain her sanity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lou Mozell: “You know, that I actually met a girl by the name of Moo Goo Gai Pan? That was her last name. Her first name was Freida. Freida Moo Goo Gai Pan. She was half-Jewish, half-Chinese. A lot of people called her the Ori-Yenta.” – Lou shares an absurd anecdote, highlighting his eccentric and sometimes inappropriate sense of humor.
• Georgia: “I’m not Mother Teresa.” – Georgia says this dismissively when Eve asks her to help more with their ailing father.
• Eve: “You guys think you’re so busy. You’re not that busy!” – Eve expresses her frustration with her sisters for not helping with their father.
• Lou Mozell: “June Allyson.” – Lou, in his last moment of clarity, correctly identifies the actress, bringing a moment of connection to his daughters before passing away.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $36,050,230
• Worldwide Gross: $51,880,044

💥 Hanging Up Reviews

Personal Review

Honestly, ‘Hanging Up’ felt like a bunch of great actors trying their best with a script that couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. I felt so bad for Walter Matthau; it’s a shame this was his last film. I did laugh at some of Meg Ryan’s clumsier moments, but the overall tone was just depressing. It was hard to connect with the sisters when they spent most of the time arguing and being self-absorbed. The flashbacks were confusing. I wish the film had picked a lane – comedy or drama – and stayed in it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Meg Ryan, Diane Keaton, and Lisa Kudrow”
  • “Viewers interested in family dramas with comedic elements”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about sibling relationships and aging parents”
  • “Audiences who appreciate films exploring themes of communication and connection”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Alcoholism”
  • “Dementia”
  • “Mature themes related to illness and death”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While ‘Hanging Up’ boasts a talented cast, it struggles to find a consistent tone, bouncing between slapstick and heavy drama. Meg Ryan shines, but the film ultimately feels tonally disjointed and fails to fully explore its complex themes.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a strong cast, Keaton’s direction fails to deliver a cohesive or emotionally resonant experience. The film’s attempts at humor often fall flat, and the dramatic elements feel underdeveloped, resulting in a disappointing effort.
• Metacritic: “The film’s narrative feels scattered, relying heavily on flashbacks that disrupt the flow. While the performances are generally competent, the weak script and uneven direction hinder the actors’ ability to fully connect with the audience, resulting in a forgettable film.

Audience Reactions

Matthau’s performance as the cantankerous father was the only truly memorable part of the movie.: Walter Matthau’s acting and a couple of comedic scenes offered some relief, but the film was ultimately a letdown.

The film’s attempts at humor often fall flat, and the dramatic elements feel underdeveloped.: Too much reality for mainstream taste.

Overall Consensus: Despite a talented cast, ‘Hanging Up’ is a tonally inconsistent and ultimately disappointing dramedy that fails to fully realize its potential.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Hanging Up was Walter Matthau’s final film role; he passed away shortly after its release.”
• “The movie is based on Delia Ephron’s novel of the same name, drawing inspiration from her own family dynamics.”
• “Diane Keaton not only starred in the film but also directed it, showcasing her dual talents.”
• “Several scenes were filmed at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California, although the library’s interior was modified for the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hanging Up?

As of October 2024, “Hanging Up” is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current availability as streaming options may vary by region and change over time. Some cable providers may also offer it on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hanging Up, you might like these similar films:

• Terms of Endearment (1983): Explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, dealing with illness and emotional bonds.
• Marvin’s Room (1996): Two estranged sisters are brought together by their father’s illness, forcing them to confront their past.
• August: Osage County (2013): A dysfunctional family reunites when their patriarch disappears, uncovering long-held secrets and resentments.
• Steel Magnolias (1989): Centers on the bonds among a group of Southern women and their ability to cope with life’s hardships, including illness and loss.

🛒 Hanging Up Related Products

• Meg Ryan Collection [DVD]: Includes classic Meg Ryan movies for fans who enjoyed her performance in ‘Hanging Up’. A great way to revisit her most beloved roles.
• The Nora Ephron Three-Book Collection: Heartburn, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally…: Explore the written works of Nora Ephron and enjoy reading the screenplays of some of her best movies.
• Friends: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: Revisit Lisa Kudrow’s iconic role as Phoebe Buffay and see her comedic genius in action. A must-have for any fan of the ’90s sitcom.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Once Upon A Time” – performed by Jay McShann

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sad Scene from Movie (Hanging Up)

Want to see a powerful, emotional scene from ‘Hanging Up’? This one always gets me – the acting is phenomenal and really captures the complexities of family relationships. You won’t regret watching this.

✨ Rate