This film was more reality based, more urban based and gritty. Ron Howard is a good Director but really doesn't know how to set up good jokes. The film boasts a talented cast but Matthew McConaughey has slipped from a stellar performance (a time to kill) to a lazy performance in Edtv. Sally Kirkland was just annoying as the mother and Dennis Hopper wasn't in the film to give him a billing. The film rested on four capable actors shoulders, ellen DeGeneres, Martin Landau, Clint Howard and Rob Reiner, they make it work. **1/2 out of ****
