This movie deals in heavy issues; marriage, infidelity, commitment, parenthood, passion, lack of passion, dental care, opera, country homes, etc. WARNING: Rest of this comment and most dairy products contain SPOILERS:
This movie is incredibly well-made and packs a punch. Hope Davis continues to amaze me - if you haven;t seen her earlier independent work, seek out Next Stop, Wonderland and Daytrippers. And Campbell Scott was an actor who pretty much left me cold when he first started out (Dying Young, etc.) but he has grown as an actor and lately (Spanish Prisoner, Rodger Dodger) his work is multi-layered and unique. He really makes this movie work with a difficult character to play; an essentially weak person, shut down, avoiding confrontation at all costs. Alan Rudolph delivers the goods - he must have really trusted Craig Lucas' script, because he doesn't try too many "tricks", but listen, put away the adultry, the paranoia, the despair - this movie is hands-down the most realistic portrayl of it really is like to be the parent of small children. I have small kids and I love them with my whole heart and soul but it can be at times a grinding, numbing job and this movie captures that in almost a documentary type way. Stunning. Might not be everyone's idea of a night at the movies but I savored it and welcome it. After so many empty movies devoid of characters and REAL human emotion, this terrific film really delivers.
This movie is incredibly well-made and packs a punch. Hope Davis continues to amaze me - if you haven;t seen her earlier independent work, seek out Next Stop, Wonderland and Daytrippers. And Campbell Scott was an actor who pretty much left me cold when he first started out (Dying Young, etc.) but he has grown as an actor and lately (Spanish Prisoner, Rodger Dodger) his work is multi-layered and unique. He really makes this movie work with a difficult character to play; an essentially weak person, shut down, avoiding confrontation at all costs. Alan Rudolph delivers the goods - he must have really trusted Craig Lucas' script, because he doesn't try too many "tricks", but listen, put away the adultry, the paranoia, the despair - this movie is hands-down the most realistic portrayl of it really is like to be the parent of small children. I have small kids and I love them with my whole heart and soul but it can be at times a grinding, numbing job and this movie captures that in almost a documentary type way. Stunning. Might not be everyone's idea of a night at the movies but I savored it and welcome it. After so many empty movies devoid of characters and REAL human emotion, this terrific film really delivers.