‘I’ve had enough of being an enigma. I want to be known’
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is complicated. There are so many things to like; a brilliant lead performance by Robin Wright Penn, impressive female ensemble cast, and compelling storyline- exploring the life of the ultimate people-pleaser. However, there are also immensely off-putting elements to the film; sugary chick-flick moments, the romantic subplot and a deeply unfulfilling conclusion.
Based on the novel of the same name, written by director, Rebecca Miller, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee introduces us to Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) the beautiful wife of a successful publisher, Herb Lee (Alan Arkin). Pippa and Herb have downsized to a small house in a retirement village following Herb’s multiple heart attacks. Pippa, who is decades younger than her husband, is out of place in her new surroundings. 
Heralded as the supreme artist’s wife and an enigma by one of Herb’s writers at a dinner party she is hosting, Pippa begins to reminisce about her young self. These memories, shown in flashback with the teenage/twentysomething Pippa played by Blake Lively (of Gossip Girl fame), increasingly impose on Pippa’s life and she begins to exhibit unusual behaviour.
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is both aided and disadvantaged by its celebrity factor. Impressive actors have been found for even the smallest roles (as well as the already mentioned parts); Maria Bello, Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Monica Bellucci. The ensemble cast of beautiful and strong women highlights what is best in the film. However the casting of Keanu Reeves as Chris, Pippa’s unlikely confidant, is highly unsatisfying. Chris is described to the audience as the 35 yr old troubled son of one of Pippa’s neighbour in the retirement home. Reeves is 10 yrs older than the role he is playing. Pippa Lee is described as 50 yrs old (this is not explicitly mentioned in the film, as the stunning Penn does not look anywhere close to 50) when Penn is in fact 2 yrs younger than Reeves. This wouldn’t necessarily have mattered if there wasn’t a scene designed around the age difference of the two characters. Reeves isn’t suitable for the role and it is not just the ages that are problematic. The dynamic between Penn and Reeves isn’t there; this section of the story is by far the weakest. Possibly because it is this part of the film that is most aligned with the traditions of the chick-flick.
Rightly or wrongly chick-flick is a title ascribed to lightweight rom-coms or melodramas which centre around female casts and focus on themes deemed women’s issues, such as romance, families and motherhood. Giving a film the label of chick-flick seems to bring with it the audience advisory that you need to have ovaries to enjoy the film. There are many negative connotations that are attached to the label, with the implication that the material is frivolous or fluffy feel-good nonsense.
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee really doesn’t deserve to be tarred with the tag of chick-flick, even if it does exhibit some of the worst traits of the stereotyped women’s cinema- the ending being the low-point of this. Pippa appears to have a perfect bourgeoisie existence with a charming and wealthy husband, literary friends, ambitious adult children, yet she is a mystery. While it is definitely a pity that the film doesn’t focus more on the question of the perfect artist’s companion as it seems to promise at the start of the film. It does, however, take its audience on an intriguing and thoughtful journey, with a perplexing lead character as guide. The film isn’t about to become a cinematic classic but it’s not a bad way to spend 2 hours; Penn is fantastic as Pippa, Lively also proves to be surprisingly good – added to this are fascinating female characters and some clever and painful insights into mother-daughter relationships to recommend it.
Australian Release Date 22nd October
Director: Rebecca Miller
Cast: Robin Wright Penn, Blake Lively, Alan Arkin, Maria Bello, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Monica Bellucci
please — what is the name of the song and the artist that young pippa is dancing to when she takes her mother’s diet pills then gets into a fight with her? thanks!