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One of the other reviews posted here reveals that it was based on an edited R rated version of the film. Don't do this to yourself. Understand this is not a "nice" film, and it doesn't make for a good first-date or family film. See the unrated version with subtitles or don't see it at all. That's only my suggestion of course, you're free to do whatever you want. Just be aware you aren't seeing the same film that many others have seen, so you'll miss half the point of the film.

I recently caught this film on late night TV. I was totally unprepared for it. It was completely believable, realistic, and very emotional.

I almost didn't watch this film. I remembered the trailer that I saw about a year ago, and it was a terrible trailer. It looked like some kind of schmaltzy-emotional drama crap that would put me to sleep. Nothing could be further from reality.

The story concerns a young man (Nick Stahl) in love with an older woman (although Marisa Tomei isn't that old). The older woman's ex-husband (William Mapother) acts out violently, and the rest of the film is the attempt of the young man's family to accept what happened. How the family reaches a level of acceptance is not what I expected, but it was very believable.

One final note: this film has a great ending sequence. Unlike other films that might have been "played up" or broken into a bunch of wacky twists and turns, the final scenes here have a slow, methodical, and inexorable feel. Bravo to writer/director Todd Field and writer Robert Festinger on keeping things solemn and realistic (this film is based on a short story by Andre Dubus titled "Killings." I have not read it and I don't know how closely the film resembles it).

Don't be put off by that criminal trailer that was put out a year ago, this film is not a disappointment. It's an honest portrayal of family, love and violence.

But what could you possibly expect going into this film? The trailer gives away the very thin plot, and every imaginable cliche is in place. Compare this film with mid 80's body switch films like "Vice Versa" or "Like Father, like Son" and "18 Again," and you'll still find it lacking depth. Fortunately, this appears to be the only body switching film on the horizon, so we should be spared any spinoffs.

If Schneider's soul sucking form of comedy is your bag, then this film will satisfy you. Personally, I felt stupider just for having watched it, but it was the great Gene Siskel who use to say, there's no point arguing about the relative merits of erotica and comedy. It either works for you, or it doesn't.

Rob Schneider either works for you, or he doesn't.

It's just too bad that this film is showing at every metroplex while possibly better films are stuck with limited releases. I pity America's Heartland.