Excellent, powerful, thought provoking, unique

Rating: 9/10 (1 June 2005)

This movie is unlike any other movie I've seen and probably that'll be true for most viewers.
There are approximately 9 important couple relationships (husband-wife, child-parent, working partners, etc.) somewhat explored as they interact with each other as well as many others. Our appreciation of these couple relationships is deepened by seeing the variety of forms they can take. E.g., a child protecting a parent (or vice-versa) is presented in several iterations and the contrasts between them deepens the impact of each (probably implicitly, without even our awareness that the film is doing that). They come from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds -- black, oriental, Latino, white, Middle Eastern, etc.
The lives of these various people collide in accidental but natural and seemingly inevitable ways. In each collision people make quick judgments about each other often based on racial or ethnic stereotypes, especially when people are fearful or hurt. It's part of the power of this film that as viewers we find ourselves doing the same thing, too. Another power is that it demonstrates people are far more complex than putting a person in the box of a stereotype allows.
Although all the accidental encounters between these couples COULD seem contrived, everything flows realistically, naturally -- including all the dialog. The casting is great; the acting superb. The snippets presented of the lives of these 17 or so people are interwoven to form an overarching, coherent, powerful narrative.
This is not a movie that will change many lives, especially among those who treasure holding their ethnic biases. It will appeal most to those who grieve that we all so easily form and hold such stereotypes.
Rated "R" for some natural, adult emotional language and a sexual scene. AFTER you view the movie, your appreciation will be furthered by visiting the IMDb message board and reading the discussion on this film there.