Name: Let Them All Talk
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2020-12-10T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Meryl Streep, Lucas Hedges, Gemma Chan, Dianne Wiest, Candice Bergen

The Queen Mary 2 cuts through the Atlantic, a floating stage for Steven Soderbergh‘s Let Them All Talk, where Meryl Streep‘s Pulitzer-winning author Alice Hughes navigates choppy waters of friendship and artistic integrity. Shot on an actual transatlantic cruise with minimal equipment and natural light, the film’s technical restraint belies its emotional depth.

Soderbergh steers clear of the madcap energy one might expect from a comedy-drama about a group of old friends reuniting, opting instead for a contemplative tone that feels like eavesdropping on a private conversation. Streep’s performance is a masterclass in understatement, her Alice a woman burdened by fame and the weight of her own past. The improvisational dialogue sparkles with authenticity, particularly in the scenes between Streep and Dianne Wiest as Susan, where the unscripted moments feel like old wounds being picked at.

The film’s strengths lie in its performances and Soderbergh’s technical precision. Streep, Wiest, and Candice Bergen (as Roberta) deliver deeply engaging turns, exploring themes of aging, friendship, and the complexities of artistic creation. The use of natural light and minimal equipment gives the film a documentary-like intimacy, making the Queen Mary 2 feel like a character unto itself.

Yet, Let Them All Talk stumbles in its narrative pacing. The loose, meandering structure that works for some will feel aimless to others. The themes of self-obsession and betrayal are compelling but unevenly executed, leaving some scenes feeling disjointed rather than deliberate. The film’s resolution—Alice’s sudden death—feels abrupt, a missed opportunity for deeper emotional payoff.

The cast’s chemistry is undeniable, but the film’s marketing as a Meryl Streep vehicle might oversell its scope. It’s a small, intimate story that doesn’t always justify its star power, making it feel more like a character study than a grand drama.

In the end, Let Them All Talk is a well-acted, visually striking film that explores weighty themes but falters in its narrative execution.