Drama
United States of America
Hateship Loveship is a 2013 drama film based on the short story "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage" by Canadian author Alice Munro. The film follows the story of a teenage girl named Sabitha (Hailee Steinfeld), who lives with her grandparents in a small town in Iowa. Sabitha's mother died when she was young, and her father, Ken (Guy Pearce), is a recovering drug addict who lives in Chicago.
Ken's life takes a turn when he hires a new nanny, Johanna (Kristen Wiig). Johanna is a quiet and reserved woman who has suffered a lot in her life, including the loss of her husband and child. Sabitha sees how kind and caring Johanna is to her father and decides to play a prank on her. Sabitha sends Johanna a fake love letter from Ken, pretending to be from him. Johanna believes it to be real and slowly begins to fall in love with Ken.
As Johanna and Ken grow closer, Sabitha realizes the mistake she has made and tries to make amends. She starts to see Johanna as a mother figure, someone who cares about her and wants the best for her. Ken, on the other hand, is hesitant to start a relationship with Johanna because of his past struggles with addiction.
The film explores the themes of loneliness, love, and forgiveness. Hateship Loveship also showcases the exceptional performances of its cast, including Kristen Wiig, who breaks away from her comedic roles to deliver a nuanced portrayal of a woman trying to find love and acceptance.
