kimbo33

This movie surprised me, because although I had read that it was good, it exceeded my expectations. The characters felt authentic and possessed believable strengths and weaknesses. The actors turned in powerful performances and I find myself, the day after I saw the film, still thinking about the plot but mostly remembering the expressions on the actors' faces.

The movie did seem a little too long, but in trying to think of scenes to cut, I realized that nothing in particular felt superfluous or irrelevant to the storyline or character development.

Finally, I didn't like the end! But that's probably because I've been ruined by Hollywood with its sappy happy endings. This film ended as it should, and probably as it had to.

To borrow a phrase from the movie to describe the movie itself, this film is "tender and true." Also, sad. My date (male) and I laughed AND cried. I suppose people who need more action, or more Hollywoodized characters, might find this movie slow and unappealing. But I loved its languid pace and the gentle unfolding of the characters. The movie sought to show some of the myriad ways love can manifest itself, even if the love remains unrealized or unrecognized.

Also, I enjoyed that the other women in the film were so unlikeable. I'm a woman, but it's still refreshing to see the ugly (yet quite accurate) side of intra-female relationships portrayed on film, for a change.

Claire Danes and Steven Martin were wonderful to watch; they were perfect for the roles and their relationship was quite believable. Age difference aside, they seemed to "fit." In contrast, Jason Schwartzman never seemed an obvious match for Danes, but this is a small complaint.

This is the best movie I've seen in a long time, and I left the theater feeling fully satisfied.