Let Them All Talk

As an incisive study of creative inspiration and author ethics, Let Them All Talk doesn’t exactly sound like the cinematic equivalent of a page-turner.

However, top-notch performances and sure-handed direction drive this gently humorous exploration of aging and sisterhood, as well as literary appreciation, from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic).

Alice (Meryl Streep) is a smug and self-absorbed novelist set to receive a prestigious award overseas. Since she doesn’t fly, she’s booked for a weeklong crossing aboard the Queen Mary 2 from New York to London.

As her guests, she invites two estranged former college classmates. Roberta (Candice Bergen) is a disgruntled lingerie saleswoman still bitter with Alice over suspicions she used Roberta’s personal life as the basis for a best-seller. She wants an apology — in addition to a rich boyfriend.

That leaves Susan (Dianne Wiest) to play peacemaker while forwarding her own agenda by meeting a famous author who Alice dismisses as trite.

The fact that they’re all essentially trapped aboard a floating island — essentially disconnected from the outside world — causes insecurities and lingering hostility to bubble to the surface.

Alice tagging along is Alice’s favorite nephew, Tyler (Lucas Hedges), who becomes Alice’s only true confidant. Then there’s a young literary agent (Gemma Chan) who cozies up to Tyler to dig up dirt on Alice’s stalled next project.

The narrative framework is simple, contrived, even derivative, but the screenplay by acclaimed novelist Deborah Eisenberg infuses the film with sharp dialogue and richly textured characters.

Plus, it always helps when you’ve got an ensemble cast of old pros who keep things emotionally grounded whenever the story meanders. The three actresses bring depth and complexity to women at a crossroads in their lives.

Filmed mostly on an actual ocean liner, the character-driven film feels like a natural evolution in Soderbergh’s recent low-budget experimental phase of his career. He introduces some playful little details, such as Susan and Roberta’s mutual affinity for board games, or random cutaways to food preparation among chefs in the kitchen.

Ultimately, Let Them All Talk examines the ramifications of writers mixing reality and fantasy in their work. As it evolves into a low-key thriller of sorts with a shocking climactic twist, the film smartly takes the titular advice and lets its performers steer the ship.

Rated R, 113 minutes.