Fantastic!

Excellent but underrated film

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Is this movie about Max, or is it about Elizabeth, or is it about Lena? I suppose it is about each of them, almost equally, but not really in a "love triangle" kind of way, although it seems headed in that direction at times, in this comedy set in New York.James LeGros is Max, wants to be a writer but works as a projectionist in an obscure theater showing old B&W movies. Max is mixed up, he has a good heart, but is pretty focused on himself. He rescues a dog being abused, steals it away and finds a vet clinic, and is chased down and beaten by the owner, now angry at Max. But some good fortune does come his way, as Jennifer Beals playing Elizabeth works at the clinic and admires what Max did. They meet, date, and soon are living together. Elizabeth eventually brings up the "M-word" but Max hesitates. Elizabeth is disappointed.Meanwhile Drew Barrymore as Lena, who sells tickets at the B&W theater has her eye on Max for herself. Lena isn't so scrupulous, she is willing to force the issue, even if it entails making up stories to drive a wedge in there and pry Max loose for herself.Today we know him mainly for his TV show, but Jon Stewart has a key role as Henry, someone who comes along when Elizabeth is turning sour at Max's selfishness then jealousy, constantly asking her if she is starting to see others. Henry has a fresh perspective, he knows how to live and laugh and have fun, things Max seems to have lost. So, while Max thinks Eric Thal as Jack is the guy Elizabeth has her eye on, and Lena is helping that perception along, Henry really is the one sneaking in and gaining Elizabeth's favor. But in the end, Lena and Max seem pretty good for each other, both flawed but in ways that they both can relate to.Saw it via Netflix streaming movies, my wife and I were entertained, although it is not a great movie.

...because this movie will make you barf until you bleed. I caught maybe the last half hour of it on TV last night and cannot imagine how broke poor Jon Stewart must have been to accept a role in this movie- my heart goes out to him. And how did they manage to make someone as hot as Jennifer Beals look like a dumpy bag lady? I don't know what the actual plot line was supposed to be, something about affairs and other melodrama I don't care for when so poorly executed. I've seen high school a/v nerds exhibit better judgment over use of visual effects. At one point things turn black and white and deep meaning is supposed to be exhibited through lots of slo-mo. Pass on this one. You definitely have better things to be doing.

Okay, here's the deal. I recently saw this movie for the first time at 1 AM on NBC after Saturday Night Live. I was already tired and playing video games when I started listening to the start of this movie. I realized it was strange and crazy. I had to watch the whole thing, it just drew me in.Given these conditions, I thought it was the best movie I have ever seen. Seriously, it was funny and heartfelt at the same time. It was artistic and clicked perfectly into the things I had recently been thinking about. It deals with perspective in a way that lays bare the absurd self-righteousness we all carry about; showing that we are all just confused adventurers in this awkward landscape of life controlled by chance. If you like strange films and ideas and also have a soft spot for romantic comedies, I think you'll love this film. But I'm really not sure because I was really tired.

with several stars, why did this sit on the miramax shelf for two years and then went straight to video? cause it sucks. even then, i was disappointed. the characters aren't interesting, the theme and structure have been done better in other movies. two good things about it, it's less than 90 minutes long, and jon stewart has some good funny lines in it. it's as bad, if not worse, than sliding doors. watch next stop wonderland, run lola run or chungking express instead.