I like the director a great deal, and I like most of the actresses in this film so so much, too, but it…just didn’t work. It’s not a bad movie; it’s not an unenjoyable hour and a half. But it was like the movie would have an “insight,” not really say anything new about the subject, and then apologize for having mentioned it in the first place, if that makes any sense. Like, yes, married people can be smug. And yes, we know that that means “not all of them” and “not all the time,” but if you’re going to make a movie about how some married people sometimes don’t get it, make that movie, then, and stop backing away from the question you’re asking. The other issue is that Jennifer Aniston is the catalytic character here, and giving her that job is a mistake. Again, I don’t think she’s entirely untalented, but there are things she can’t do, and “punch her weight, as a fucked-up stoner with obscure motivations, against Frances damn McDormand” is one of those things. Directors really need to stop putting her in these frumped-up, disingenuously depressive roles, because she’s not believable and it’s a waste of everyone’s time. Anyway. McDormand is fabulous, so are Cusack and Keener, parts of the movie are interesting and fresh, and I continue to want to hug Scott Caan until his fratty little eyes pop out BECAUSE I LOVE HIM, but: it’s a renter. (5/8/06)

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