haskellbob I'm a huge fan of this movie, which I just recently discovered (you know, "fan" is short for "fanatic"). This film is intelligent and heartfelt at the same time, on a level that almost no other film I have ever seen manages to reach.It's disconcerting to see how many critics (the ones whose reviews are on R----- T-------) just missed it completely, how this movie went over their heads.The interactions between virtually all the characters are masterfully rendered, but the relationship between Peter and the neighbor's handicapped girl is outstanding and beautiful. The scene when he sits with her at her toy tea table, ostensibly to do research for his play, and lets her teach him how to play, is unbelievably touching and funny.I had to watch it again, after reading lukewarm reviews by certain critics I usually respect, to convince myself that they had a blind spot and in the last analysis, I am the critic I need to rely on.But if my words encourage anyone else to see this, anyone who might also discover a real gem in this movie, then by all means, let them have their effect! Sincerely, Bob Haskell

Purity_of_Essence87 This overlooked gem is everything you want from a movie. It's funny, has great acting, and better yet - a plausible and well laid out plot! Kenneth Branagh shines as Peter, the writer with writer's block, and Robin Wright Penn is perfect as his child-hopeful wife.The dynamics presented are new and unique, as is the humor. You'll find no tired jokes in this flick! However, I did find myself laughing heartily out loud on more than one or two occasions.This is a great drama about middle age life, perceptions, and relationships. My advice? See this movie! It's truly great! Kenneth Branagh is one of my favorite actors, and that is how I stumbled across this film - I suggest you do the same.

Tin Ton This movie is about a cynical and satirical writer with a wife who's character is practically just the opposite of him, fun, open, lively and talkative. As they get new neighbours with a young, mildly disabled girl the story starts to unfold. It's sometimes a laugh out loud funny (witty remarks by Peter hehe ) and sometimes gives you some things to consider. Don't really have much time now, but overall the movie is well made, characters likable and the movie nicely brings them closer to the audience, you can understand them. It is a movie to watch in the evening when you don't feel like watching all that cgi and shooting and just want something more peaceful,intelligent with quite some laughs in between. Recommended.

burgerific ...you'll love this movie. It too uses a lot of big words and high concepts. It too has too many storylines that don't connect (ever). It too features a bunch of rich people feeling sorry for themselves for no apparent reason (maybe pondering the meaninglessness of their meaninglessness?). It too has a bunch of too-cool-for-the-room humor that you will only get if you are very smart and very clever.Don't get me wrong, there are good things about this movie, but they barely make it watchable start-to-finish. Branaugh, Hofrichter, and Harris all deliver spectacular performances and there scenes together prove to be the glue that holds this thing together.Of all the things in this film I didn't enjoy I will focus solely of the putrid performance of David Krumholtz, as the flamboyantly gay director, Brian Sellars. It is, simply put, the most two-dimentional, stereotypical, and offensively poor depiction of a homosexual I have ever seen on film. Seriously folks, it is painful to watch, and Krumholtz ought to be blacklisted for it.