Hello, My Name is Doris

Michael Showalter is known for his outlandish humor, specializing in the kind of awkward comedy that makes you cringe. He first broke into the comedy scene on MTV’s sketch-comedy show "The State," going on to write such strange comedies as "Wet Hot American Summer" and "The Baxter." His latest film is equally quirky but ultimately rooted in more emotional ground. Based on a short film by Laura Terruso — who co-wrote this adaptation with Showalter — "Hello, My Name is Doris" is a film that exposes the raw humanity beneath its hilarity.

Doris is a cliché, the typical "crazy cat lady." Her house is a hoarder's paradise, piled high with useless items that she claims she needs, like a basket full of shampoo bottles. And like all of her stuff, Doris merely takes up space at her workplace — some kind of marketing firm run by millennials.

The plot thickens when Doris finds herself falling for the agency’s new art director, John Fremont (Max Greenfield). The problem lies in the fact that he’s not only her boss but also 30 years younger than her.

The film shines when it focuses on the awkward tension between Doris and John. It's a quietly hilarious comedy of discomfort. You'll wince again and again as Doris desperately tries to fill the generational gap between her and John. She even goes as far as attending an electro-pop concert, dressed head-to-toe in glowing neon garb.

The film suggests that, more than anything else, Doris is reliving her youth through John — the youth that slipped through her fingers as she spent years taking care of her sick mother. John, on the other hand, finds a mother figure in Doris, seeking comfort in her even when he's surrounded by people closer to his age.

Field and Greenfield share a palpable chemistry in this contemporary "Harold and Maude." Their characters are kindred spirits in the sense that they're both people who should "have it all together" but keep falling apart. John thinks Doris is a wise old woman while we see that she's still a scared, confused kid like him. He struggles to remain an authority figure in the office while also wanting comfort from her, his subordinate. Field wears Doris' fragility on her sleeve while Greenfield delivers more of a quietly implosive performance.

This is Greenfield's best performance yet and Field's best performance in years. She gracefully carries the film and reminds us what a great actress she is — one of the best around. The film has some other fine players: Stephen Root as her overbearing brother; Wendi McLendon-Covey as his harsh wife; and Tyne Daly as Doris' blunt best friend. But Field steals the show.

"Hello, My Name is Doris" is like its title character — quiet, quirky and sensitive. This film won't blow you away, but every once in a while, it will sneak up and floor you with a moment that's hilarious or poignant. It's a sweet little indie film that proves the best humor sometimes comes from the heart.