Superb Acting - Intense Drama

Rating: 8/10 (1 February 2007)

In many ways this movie is dark, but ultimately a bittersweet story. It seems to be about Maintaining Appearances within what the American culture calls "the Rat Race". The endless cycle of fighting to survive and achieve. Striving to be excellent, unique, "exceptional" and recognized for being so. And, as the term implies, remaining unsatisfied. "The office" and High School are the two theatres in which the characters inter-twine to meet their challenges.
The film focuses on four core characters: A husband and wife, their daughter and her "weird" boyfriend, plus the boyfriend's militant father and her gorgeous girlfriend from school. Simultaneous to the strivings for success is examination of the drive to find someone to care about and who loves the REAL you. It isn't a "happy" film, but it points out some possible outcomes on the way to striving for happiness.
There are very dramatic and violent scenes and "amplified" characters that jam a lot of conflict and revelation into the conclusion of the film. There is no "Hollywood ending", but there is resolution.
As far as a parental guide, I would say it's too thematically sophisticated to be appreciated fully by children under 17. The violence and emotional turmoil is too real and not cartoon-y for kids of an impressionable age. Not for the G-rated family! There is open drug use, non-marital sex scenes, implied homosexual sex, strong language, violence, and disturbing situations. But it's a great movie!