Watch Coastal Elites

Coastal Elites is a 2020 comedy drama film that explores the lives of five individuals living in New York and Los Angeles during the Trump presidency. The film is directed by Jay Roach and written by Paul Rudnick, known for his works in movies such as In & Out and Sister Act. The movie is presented in a series of monologues highlighting the personal perspectives of these five individuals who are dealing with the political and personal consequences of living in America during such a divisive political era. The five protagonists intersect in ways that are both humorous and poignant, showcasing the challenges of trying to live a life where your political beliefs can make or break your relationships.

The first character we are introduced to is Miriam Nessler, played by Bette Midler, a famous actress and a democrat who is struggling to come to terms with the election of Donald Trump. Despite the fact that she lives in a secluded apartment with all possible luxury amenities, she is left feeling lonely and disconnected from the outside world. Through her monologue, Midler's character tries to navigate her way through the shock and outrage of the election, using her theatrical abilities to connect with the audience.

Kaitlyn Dever plays Abby Gerhard, a young nurse from Wyoming who is trying to deal with her frustration with the polarizing and divisive politics of her family. Abby's mother and brother are huge supporters of Trump and she struggles to find common ground with them. She begins a series of phone calls with a stranger named James, who helps her vent her frustrations and eventually helps her find a sense of community and hope.

Dan Levy plays Mark Hesterman, an out and proud gay man who works as a creative writer of TV shows. Mark is frustrated with the current political climate and struggles to connect with his conservative father. Through his monologue, he reflects on the ups and downs of being a single gay man in a world that is often hostile to his lifestyle.

Sara Nesson, played by Sarah Paulson, is a legacy student who has recently been forced to deal with the real-world implications of being an academic in the Trump era. She is a democrat and her family is proud of the educational credentials that they all possess. However, after she speaks out in support of Senator Elizabeth Warren, she finds herself at odds with her conservative family and has to deal with the judgment and criticism of others.

Finally, we meet Charles Leonard, played by Bette Midler, a retired teacher who is navigating life after the loss of his partner. Charles is also caught up in the political turmoil of the time, and finds himself in a series of screaming matches with a neighbor who is a huge Trump supporter.

The entire movie is shot in a minimalist way, reminiscent of a stage play. The set is made up of simple backdrops, allowing the audience to focus solely on the monologues of each character. This technique helps create a sense of intimacy between the audience and the characters, allowing them to empathize with each character's struggles.

Overall, Coastal Elites is a poignant and personal exploration of the impact of the Trump presidency on ordinary people. The writing is both funny and thought-provoking, highlighting the complexity of living in a world that feels increasingly divided. The actors give strong performances, making the trials and tribulations of the characters resonate with the audience. Ultimately, Coastal Elites is a call for empathy in a world that often feels like it is on the verge of collapse.

Coastal Elites is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.