Great debut!

Rating: Null/10 (4 March 2004)

Sofia Coppola, whilst certainly taking advantage of her family connections to get this movie made, certainly stands on her own in writing and directing it. It's an amazing character study of two complex individuals, who break all the Hollywood rules by NOT fornicating within ten minutes of meeting each other.
Instead, we actually are treated to an observation of a relationship evolving and the characters' lives changing as they interact and as their friendship changes each other's outlook and perception of their lives.
I've read numerous reviews below complaining that the movie is too long, that it moves too slowly, and that there's no plot. Well...for y'all who are motivated by that rubbish there is plenty produced by Hollywood which will fill the bill for you. Those of you "gotta have it now" folks who don't appreciate subtlety and nuance will never stand a chance of grasping the value of a film like this which respects its audience and doesn't force feed the story/characters like pablum to an infant.
Those of y'all interested in savoring a film with interesting characters who you haven't seen in every other Hollywood film, who are willing to take a movie on its own merits and just let it unfold, will find exceptional entertainment in this movie. I heartily recommend it.