Cat Person

“Margot, college student cum movie concessionaire (Emilia Jones), is in the market for a guy. Could her tall, older customer (Nicholas Braun) be the one? Mutual flirting and interest is expressed by weeks-long flurries of texts. On their first date Margot starts to have second thoughts, but is too polite to act on them. Her dorm roommate, and later, her split self, try to help her get out of the situation, as Margot careens between pride, embarrassment, pity, and fear. Meanwhile, the inexperienced Robert, trying to emulate Harrison Ford, expresses doubt and anger.

“I pretty much had enough of this movie by the end of the first hour—okay, point made! Best thing about it: it opens up honest conversation about dating, intimacy, and gender roles (yes, women too often act against their self-interest, and yes, women are trained to be afraid, and, yes, men killing their partners is too frequently a news item. I’m sure my bf is tired of the tips I give him should he decide to murder me). Other good elements: a good cast, including minor roles by Hope Davis and Fred Melamed, and the way that Margot’s face glows, whether from Robert’s loving regard or from the light of a text-filled screen.

“3 cats. Recommended most for discussion value.”