Single New York City artist Ellie (Laurie Simmons) hopes to gain inspiration in tranquility as she house-sits for a friend in Upstate New York. Accompanied by her lovable handicapped dog, Bing, Ellie comes of age — middle age — in her new surroundings. She turns the home’s adjoining barn into her new workplace, staging elaborate recreations of classic movies scenes, ranging from Some Like it Hot to A Clockwork Orange. Business unexpectedly evolves into possible pleasure when Ellie invites three local men — two gardeners (Robert Clohessy, Josh Safdie) and a lawyer (John Rothman) — to participate in her art. Soon all three men are becoming romantically interested in Ellie. Even so, she remains determined to resist anything that could interrupt her work.

My Art star/writer/director Laurie Simmons has produced numerous works of moving-image art, including 2006’s Meryl Streep-led The Music of Regret, and here takes cues from her daughter Lena Dunham’s (who co-stars) brand of acerbic wit and acutely feminist point-of-view for this comedy of self-realization. Featuring the great Parker Posey and Broadway legend Blair Brown, My Art is ultimately Simmons’ show, repurposing familiar rom-com tropes with an endearing female protagonist.

—Matt Barone

Directed by

Laurie Simmons