I like indie flicks of all types. I like the quirky ones, the weird ones, the dark ones, and a slow ones. But I don't like them no matter what. The movie should have characters that I can relate to or find interesting. This movie didn't have that. Another option could be that the movie could have a look into a world that few see. This movie scratches the surface of that, but still, for me, didn't deliver. I don't mind a slow movie, if the payoff is there. Sometimes I think that some directors have a vision that is something other than, "Make a movie people are glad they spent the time to watch." This felt like that movie.
Private Life tells the story of a couple trying to have a new born baby. They go through adoption options and IVF and decide that maybe a donor egg is the way to go. They consider their options and decide it should be someone they know, and their niece decides to help them. The focus on the movie is the conflict caused by these decisions. It's a rather loveless movie, though, so it's hard to really feel for the characters, as they're pretty bland in their portrayal.
It's hard for me to really get deep into this movie, as it's one of those movies that you really have to see to understand. The relationships are strained, which is fine. The acting is actually really good (and some tough parts to play, too!) But the story, while sad, isn't really something that most people can relate to. The couple want something that they can't have, but they never really get into why they want it, just that they do. They REALLY do. They want to have a new born baby and be a part of the whole process. They don't ever mention fostering a child or anything, so that's apparently not what they want.
I guess I found the conflict somewhat interesting. I didn't really understand any of the objections for the most part. I just couldn't help but think that this couple is struggling to get out of a hole they've dug for themselves. Fostering a child, in my mind, would scratch that itch for them, but I'm not in their minds or their lives. But that's the problem... a movie like this is supposed to make you understand and relate to these characters. Instead, I just kept thinking about how these problems seem to be either easily resolved, or first world problems. I don't mean to be callous to those struggling to get something they really want, but can't have. I don't want this to demean their pain. We all have our own pain, and I get that. But my complaint is that I didn't get the pain of this couple. To me, that is a failing of the movie.