Permanent Retrograde

Permanent Retrograde

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Permanent Retrograde
Permanent Retrograde
Friends With Money

Friends With Money

Advice from Two Friends

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Kelly Oxford
Mar 18, 2024
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Permanent Retrograde
Permanent Retrograde
Friends With Money
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In 2006, Nicole Holofcener wrote and directed, FRIENDS WITH MONEY (Jennifer Aniston, Frances McDormand, Catherine Keener, Joan Cusack) An L.A. story about OLIVIA (J. Aniston) living month-to-month as a maid while her married girlfriends invite her to thousand dollar a plate benefit dinners.

Jenny, 32, lost her P.R. job last summer, but was just hired by a new firm. “I turned down invites from my GNO group so many times they stopped inviting me out. I couldn’t afford to go out and split bills for days vacations, or even dinners. Next year I’ll be able to again.”

Me: “They all ditched you for not being able to afford your old lifestyle?”

Jenny: “A couple didn’t… but. I mean, it’s gross but people are gross.”

Me: “What do you do with the people you’re still friends with?”

Jenny: “They take me out. They treat. I don’t love that.”

Me: “Why?”

Jenny: “Guilt.”

Living and socializing in Los Angeles for over a decade, I have seen many versions of Olivia and Jenny’s stories. I’ve watched entertainment switch to streaming, Covid, the WGA/SAG strikes… versions of Jenny and Olivia’s stories have multiplied. Not only in Los Angeles, but everywhere.

Me: “Don’t feel guilt about being treated. Two women: Both much wiser, worldlier, older, wealthier than me gave me good advice about guilt and gifts from friends.”

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