THE USUAL CAVEAT: THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME OF WHAT I WRITE MAY BE CONSIDERED A SPOILER.
In a country that glorifies the simplistic shoot-em-up, the special effects extravaganza, and the teenage sex comedy, a movie featuring actual acting and at least an attempt to grapple with complex emotions is a pearl of great price. It's so refreshing to see a movie about (gasp!) people.
While none of the actors are going to make you forget Meryl Streep or Robert Deniro, they, for the most part, turn in solid performances and never run away with the action. The only exception to this is Martin Short. His character just doesn't fit the movie, and it's a bit jarring when he shows up again midway through. Loren Dean is nicely low-key as the new therapist in town, and Hope Davis, Jason Lee, and Alfre Woodard are very good in supporting roles. Dana Ivey, one of my favorite stage actresses, also does well in a small role as Hope Davis' mother.
My only problem with the film is that it tries to hard for its happy ending. Everyone's lives are neatly wrapped up, with no niggling loose ends that clutter real life. Simplistic shoot-em-ups have that luxury, but a movie such as this one does not.
In a country that glorifies the simplistic shoot-em-up, the special effects extravaganza, and the teenage sex comedy, a movie featuring actual acting and at least an attempt to grapple with complex emotions is a pearl of great price. It's so refreshing to see a movie about (gasp!) people.
While none of the actors are going to make you forget Meryl Streep or Robert Deniro, they, for the most part, turn in solid performances and never run away with the action. The only exception to this is Martin Short. His character just doesn't fit the movie, and it's a bit jarring when he shows up again midway through. Loren Dean is nicely low-key as the new therapist in town, and Hope Davis, Jason Lee, and Alfre Woodard are very good in supporting roles. Dana Ivey, one of my favorite stage actresses, also does well in a small role as Hope Davis' mother.
My only problem with the film is that it tries to hard for its happy ending. Everyone's lives are neatly wrapped up, with no niggling loose ends that clutter real life. Simplistic shoot-em-ups have that luxury, but a movie such as this one does not.