'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee': A 'perfect' woman with a troubled past

Though thoughtful and often engaging, Rebecca Miller's drama "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" (based on her own novel) suffers from being simultaneously too slow and too fast. There's a deliberate quality to the storytelling that makes the movie drag in many scenes; and yet, numerous characters flit by that we don't have time to really meet. Because they're played by interesting actors — Julianne Moore, Maria Bello, Zoe Kazan and Shirley Knight are among those who appear only briefly — the loss is felt; the movie feels almost too populated.

And yet, ultimately "Pippa Lee" works because of its central performance. Robin Wright Penn is Pippa, the 50ish wife of a much-older man (Alan Arkin). They've moved to a retirement community, where the lovely, seemingly serene Pippa takes care of her husband and is adored by all who know her. But she has, it seems, too much time to contemplate her troubled and often secret past: a speed-addicted mother (Bello), a reckless youth (Pippa is played, as a young adult, vividly by Blake Lively), a marriage not as perfect as it seems. Soon, Pippa's behavior turns strange. "I wonder," she muses, "if maybe I'm having a very quiet nervous breakdown."

The plot takes some unexpected and oddly melodramatic turns, and a few of the performances feel off (most notably Winona Ryder's squeaky, weepy turn as a not-so-good friend of Pippa's). But Wright Penn, who makes few films but is always an exquisite presence, holds everything together with a lovely, subtle performance, with emotions flicking delicately over her face like fireflies. Watch her in an early party scene: how she's so intently listening, so present in the moment. I read a quote recently from director Mike Nichols, describing Meryl Streep — something to the effect of "It's as if she's swallowed a light bulb" — that perfectly fits Wright Penn as well; she shines, all the brighter for never showing the effort.

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725 or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com