There are actually FIVE stories told in this movie, each one emotionally valid and moving. The form is a multi-comedy-drama, on the order of "Magnolia" and "Short Cuts" but better than either by quite some distance. The fifth story (not mentioned in the earlier review) is about a singer-songwriter with a heart condition, played very solidly by real-life singer-songwriter Jill ("I Kissed a Girl") Sobule.
The movie represents a quantum leap for writer-director Schaeffer, who truly comes into his own with this one. Not only is the writing excellent, but he does wonders with his cast, including the redoubtable Alan King, never better on screen. And Schaeffer's own performance is by far his best to date--hilarious beyond his previous work and satisfyingly emotional, too.
The movie represents a quantum leap for writer-director Schaeffer, who truly comes into his own with this one. Not only is the writing excellent, but he does wonders with his cast, including the redoubtable Alan King, never better on screen. And Schaeffer's own performance is by far his best to date--hilarious beyond his previous work and satisfyingly emotional, too.