Let Them All Talk is a comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and released in 2020. The movie stars Meryl Streep as Alice Hughes, a renowned author who takes a transatlantic journey on the Queen Mary 2 to receive a prestigious literary award in England. She invites two old friends, Roberta (Candice Bergen) and Susan (Dianne Wiest), to accompany her on the trip, hoping to reconnect with them after many years of estrangement.
Alice’s nephew, Tyler (Lucas Hedges), accompanies them as well, tasked with the responsibility of looking after the ladies and documenting the trip through his writing. However, Tyler soon finds himself romantically involved with Karen (Gemma Chan), a young literary agent who happens to be on the same cruise. As the group spends time together, old wounds and conflicts begin to resurface, leading to confrontations and revelations that force them to confront their past mistakes and reconcile with each other.
The film was shot in real-time and improvisationally, with the actors given the freedom to develop their characters and dialogue on the spot. The movie explores themes such as friendship, aging, regret, and the power of literature to connect people from different walks of life. Critics praised the performances of the all-star cast, especially Meryl Streep, who brings her trademark charm and wittiness to the role of Alice. Overall, Let Them All Talk is a heartwarming and poignant film that offers a refreshing take on the classic “road trip” genre.