Hines Debuts as Helmer with Shelly Screenplay

By Katey Rich

Though I appreciate the breakneck lunacy and perfectly timed comedic reveals of Curb Your Enthusiasm, I've always been irked by Cheryl Hines' character. Unlike Susie Essman's long-suffering wife on the show, who gets to scream her head off whenever Larry does something idiotic, Cheryl has scolded mildly and sucked it up with every ridiculous and insulting thing Larry has done-- at least until she up and left him a few episodes ago.

Maybe inspired by her character's sudden act of defiance, Hines will be directing a film about another woman who makes sure her husband gets his comeuppance. Serious Moonlight is about a woman who, when told by her husband that he is leaving, duct tapes him to the toilet seat to keep him at home. This gets even more complicated when robbers break into the home. Variety describes it as a dark comedy, and getting duct taped to a toilet is definitely something you could see happen to Larry David-- even if it wouldn't be Cheryl who did it.

Perhaps the best part about Serious Moonlight is that Adrienne Shelly wrote the screenplay before her murder a year ago. Hines starred with Shelley in this year's Waitress, which Shelly also wrote and directed; "I had such respect for Adrienne and the work she did. And I love her writing so much. That tone is really in my wheelhouse," Hines told Variety.

Cheryl Hines' input aside, it's wonderful to see Adrienne Shelly's voice continue to live on. If Serious Moonlight sees nearly the same success as Waitress, Shelly will surely be remembered as not just the quirky girl from the Hal Hartley movies, but a confident filmmaker with her own clear vision. And hey, in a world in which Cheryl finally leaves Larry, just about anything can happen.