In 2002 Long Island, an alcoholic dental hygienist has a quarrel with her philandering husband who proceeds to drop dead after a visit to the doctor's office for chest pains. Now, with her overbearing family forcing her to be party to a malpractice suit and demanding she move her loner son to a private school, she begins to perpetuate a lie when he tells his new classmates that his father was one of the fallen firefighters in 9/11. Michael J. Weithorn's "A Little Help" is a slight film that is notable for a strong central performance from Jenna Fischer from TV's "The Office". In a film filled with more than a few misfire gags and irritating supporting performances, Fischer carries it with a commanding lead performance that succeeds both comically and dramatically. Watching "A Little Help" I was reminded of "Big Fan", another tale about a maladjusted New Yorker centered on a towering lead performance. As Patton Oswalt elevated that film, so does Jenna Fischer in this movie that is not quite worthy of her talents.
Entertainment Magazine
In 2002 Long Island, an alcoholic dental hygienist has a quarrel with her philandering husband who proceeds to drop dead after a visit to the doctor's office for chest pains. Now, with her overbearing family forcing her to be party to a malpractice suit and demanding she move her loner son to a private school, she begins to perpetuate a lie when he tells his new classmates that his father was one of the fallen firefighters in 9/11. Michael J. Weithorn's "A Little Help" is a slight film that is notable for a strong central performance from Jenna Fischer from TV's "The Office". In a film filled with more than a few misfire gags and irritating supporting performances, Fischer carries it with a commanding lead performance that succeeds both comically and dramatically. Watching "A Little Help" I was reminded of "Big Fan", another tale about a maladjusted New Yorker centered on a towering lead performance. As Patton Oswalt elevated that film, so does Jenna Fischer in this movie that is not quite worthy of her talents.
