A Little Prayer (2023)

My uncle married Marta when I was 7 or so, but they'd broken up before I was in high school. I remember feeling really weird about the fact that she used to be part of the family -- sleeping on our foldout bed on Christmas Eve -- but my uncle decided for all of us that she was out. I never saw her again. This story brought that to my mind, but in a much more poignant and adult way.

Young couple David and Tammy live in a small home on his parents' property. Every morning, Tammy gets up early to pack lunches for her in-laws and share a coffee. They clearly adore her quiet presence, which becomes even more clear when their own daughter blows into their lives like a tornado after impetuously leaving her drug addict husband (again). David works with his father Bill at the family business and it's there that Bill becomes aware of David's infidelity. 

David Strathairn plays Bill just right: he's kind and quiet but can confront when he must. His concern for his son, his business (the woman is an employee), Tammy, and even the woman herself feels genuine. Despite the discomfort of butting in, he does it because his love for his family demands it. But he must also accept that the outcome might be painful. I loved the relationship between Bill and Tammy. Jane Levy's minimal approach was surprising and effective.

A-