Hateship Loveship (2013/MPI/IFC DVD)

Picture: C Sound: C Extras: D Film: B+

Johanna (Kristin Wiig in a dramatic turn) is a live in housekeeper, hired by one Mr. McCauley (the ever-underrated Guy Pearce) to take care of him and his daughter Sabitha, who lives apart from her father after the death of her mother from an accident. But when Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld) plays a cruel prank on Johanna, she writes love letters pretending to be her father, she never imagined Johanna would take it seriously and ends up bring the two together.

Johanna is plain woman and serving others is her life (profession, but maybe she is too trapped in her job). She is quiet, caring, hard working and does all the house chores, a perfect home maker. She is tricked by that mean spirited girl Sabitha into believing her father is romantically interested in her, in hopes of breaking her heart and her illusions. But in reality, Sabitha's father is a drug addict, steals and is in heavy debt, and living in a rundown motel. Sabitha's plans backfires when Johanna does the unthinkable and moves in with her father (regardless of all his flaws) and begins to clean him up (literally). Can Johanna's dream of family and a better life really change all their futures?

This film was like a modern Sarah Plain and Tall, a story about a broken family with a father, daughter and grandfather who needs a mother and wife to help take care of them. As the character Johanna is a bit naive and was originally tricked, her hard work and devotion soon changes the other characters to make them feel guilty and self conscious enough to start changing themselves for the better.

The anamorphically enhanced picture and lossy Dolby Digital sound are just too soft, alone or in combination, so have patience if you see this one. Extras include trailers.

- Ricky Chiang