Sitting there, watching so many scenes just wither on the vine, it felt like the ninety-five minute movie was more like two hours. Many scenes just tail off as the acoustic guitar-driven score continuously reminds you this is an indie film.

I cannot say that I liked this film. It just drags on and the character development, in a character drama no less, just doesn't go anywhere. Anytime a character shows signs of going anywhere, the scene ends and we go somewhere else. In this fact, I was reminded of that awful film White Noise; anytime Michael Keaton had a moment to expand on his character, there was an edit.

The fault lies at the feet of the writing and directing team of Mark Poirier and Noam Murro. The screenplay wants desperately to sound smart, but it comes off as self-importance masquerading as intelligence. This, combined with direction that lacks any sort of style and cuts away too soon, results in a film that wants to appear insightful but just falls flat.

While the writing and directing fail to deliver, the acting is pretty solid all around, with one notable exception. Dennis Quaid does a fine job playing this character as a pompous ass. The only problem with his performance is when it comes time for the shift for the jerk to the more open and carring version, I was not convinced. The duo of Ellen Page and Thomas Haden Church provide the film's best moments despite having a plot thread that never reaches a satisfying conclusion. And let's not forget Sarah Jessica Parker, who comes across as bland and unappealing here. There is something about her apporach that just does not help, which I blame partially on the script. I just wonder what it would have been like had Rachel Weisz not pulled out of the project.

Bottom line. As much potential as the film had, I was left unfulfilled. The story never takes off and I was never allowed to forget that this was an indie character film. Perhaps another rewrite would have helped. I cannot recommend this, as much as I liked some of the performances.

Not Recommended.