"Ira and Abby is launched with an infectious elation, a no-guts-no-glory take on love that's joyous..."
-- John Anderson, VARIETY

"I really enjoyed Ira and Abby and am glad I found this hidden gem. Jennifer Westfeldt wrote the screenplay as well, defining her character that is so incredibly original I'm surprised she hasn't already made it big time with these creations."
-- Alex Billington, FIRSTSHOWING.NET

We're in Woody Allen/Christopher Guest territory here with a bright, fast-paced sitcom without the required happy ending."
-- Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve

"Here is the charming, alternative romantic-comedy universe of Jennifer Westfeldt, a world in which a warm, friendly butterfly of a woman can disarm an angry subway robber and talk the passengers into taking up a collection for the thief."
-- Peter Martin, Twitch

"Ira and Abby may be a divorce comedy, but the perfect marriage of two comically inspired minds, director Robert Cary (Anything But Love) and writer/star Jennifer Wesfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein) is irresistible."
-- Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio


IRA & ABBY (2007)

“Kissing Jessica Stein” is one of my favorite romantic comedies, second only to “When Harry Met Sally.” That movie brought to my attention a one-of-a-kind writer/actress in Jennifer Westfeldt. She has such a way with words and an infectiously charming personality that truly leaps right off the screen. She couldn’t be more delightful. I fall in love with her over and over again with every new role she plays, and that doesn’t change with “Ira & Abby.”

Jennifer’s second foray into screenwriting is the story of neurotic Ira (Chris Messina) and free-spirited Abby (Westfeldt), who meet and decide to get married after conversing for a mere few hours. Everything goes smoothly for a while, but soon they find themselves facing the many challenges of maintaining a happy, successful relationship.

Within the first few minutes of the movie I was worried I might end up disappointed. I had found the trailer a bit underwhelming, but due to the good/great reviews I’d read for it and because of Jennifer’s involvement I still had somewhat high expectations. Thankfully the movie gets better and better as it goes on, and the irresistible charm of Jennifer Westfeldt goes a long way. It’s highly believable that her character manages to charm everyone she meets as she’s just so undeniably pleasant that you can’t help but be enamored with her. She’s the kind of person you’d just want to be around.

There are plenty of recognizable supporting players with Fred Willard, Jason Alexander, Frances Conroy, Judith Light, and Darrell Hammond, but it’s Jennifer that leaves an impression. Maybe it’s my personal bias as I already adore her, but I really don’t think so. I dare anyone to not be taken with her after watching this movie. As is it’s a refreshing romantic comedy and the year’s best. I hope Ms. Westfeldt will eventually become a bigger talent as she couldn’t deserve it more. I swear, if you put her as the lead in a mainstream romantic comedy everyone would fall in love with her. Hopefully it would also be in one that she wrote.

If you don’t think there are any good romantic comedies coming out then don’t pass up this delight at the video store when it’s on DVD. You’re not likely to find one as good if you’re only watching the bigger ones Hollywood keeps churning out.

Grade: 9/10 (A-)

Did anyone else here see this?

I just watched this again tonight. It's such a delightful movie. Everyone here who enjoys a good romantic comedy should check it out.

I hate romcoms, they suck. This was a really enjoyable, fun, involving, and overall well-done movie. Chris Messina (who I've enjoyed since seeing him on Six Feet Under) and Jennifer Westfeldt (who I've never seen in anything before) were great together, right from the start. They had that chemistry that's so important, but they also really worked as separate characters. Also, kudos to Westfeldt on writing the screenplay. I'll be checking out Kissing Jessica Stein now, for sure.

The supporting cast was just as great. I could list them all but they were really great, and I loved how minor characters had bigger parts than expected and there was no "bad guy" character anywhere to be found. The level of quirk was occasionally almost too much to handle but they always pulled back just as it was about to get overwhelming.

I've been meaning to watch this for a long time and never got around to it since I let its supposed "romcom" status deter me. The ending was also really quite wonderful. In my own life I've never understood the obsession with therapy and marriage that so many people (maybe just Americans on both fronts) seem devoted to so this movie was quite a breath of fresh air.

Congratulations, Mike. You finally convinced at least one person to watch this and their evening was better off for it. I'd say an A- sounds about right. Chris Messina should be in more things (and wear less things in those more things).

I'm glad someone here finally watched it and that you really enjoyed it. Hopefully others will follow suit, and that you watch Kissing Jessica Stein soon and enjoy that as well. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on it.

Did you ever check out Kissing Jessica Stein? I watched that again on Sunday with a couple of friends who hadn't seen it. Both enjoyed it a lot. And then I watched this with them today. I'm almost tempted to raise my rating for this to an A. It's so damn delightful and I can't get over my adoration for Westfeldt. Seriously. I LOVE this woman! I wish her career had gone differently because she deserves bigger success. Though I'm incredibly sad she's done something to her face. She was so damn beautiful in KJS and Ira & Abby, as well as other projects she's starred in. But she doesn't look as gorgeous now. Her personality is still awesome and she's a fab writer but this gorgeous girl tried to fix something that didn't need fixing.

Anyway, I love this under-seen gem.