Worth Seeing Once; OK, maybe twice

Rating: Null/10 (22 September 2003)

This is a good film in a lot of ways and, had things been just a bit different, it could have been a very good film.
The setting as well as the comfortable humour provide nice distractions from what you will find here. The Angst is palpable and I found myself easily drawn to the desire that these two should find the answers for which they are not-so-actively searching in each other.
Had there been some remnants of passion in Murray and had Johansson been a little more seasoned (and less hopeful?) in her relationship the two might have been able to kindle more than emerged. On the other hand, if the writer and director had been willing to throw off a bit more of "Hollywood," it could have stunned the audience into more thoughtful reflection.
The cinematic trick was "a poor relation" that serves to "get the audience talking." I guess the writer and director felt they had to do something. Of course, they didn't have to do anything and shouldn't have done what they did.
Still, it is worth the price to see this fine actor and actress. You may even want to see it again.