There's something strange about the drama within Pippa Lee in that it doesn't really have the (presumed) intended affect. Maybe it's down to the quirky things thrown in that kills any of the drama, or the black humour that drains the seriousness out of any given situation, but something about it just doesn't work as it should. Attempted suicide, extreme ill health, mental breakdowns, mother-daughter emotional distance, all of this is dealt with at some point or another and yet it's never emotionally or dramatically engaging. The only reason I felt much at all for these characters was because of the actors and actresses playing them, not because of the things themselves that were happening to them.
In the end, did I like The Private Lives of Pippa Lee? Ultimately, yes, but there are many grievances to be had. A lack of knowing just what type of movie it was wants to be - a quirky comedy or a serious drama - results in an awkward feel of walking on a line between the two. However, fantastic performances all round and a stellar cast hold the film up, even when most other aspects weigh it down.
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