Happy Endings (2005)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Don Roos

Writer (WGA):

Don Roos (written by)

Release Date:

5 August 2005 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Thriller

Tagline:

All's well that ends swell.

Plot:

Happy Endings weaves multiple stories to create a witty look at love, family and the sheer unpredictablity of life itself.

Plot Keywords:

Adoption | Filmmaker | Stepbrother | Gay | Baby

Awards:

6 nominations

Cast

Lisa Kudrow	...	Mamie
Steve Coogan	...	Charley
Jesse Bradford	...	Nicky
Bobby Cannavale	...	Javier
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Jude
Jason Ritter	...	Otis
Tom Arnold	...	Frank
David Sutcliffe	...	Gil
Sarah Clarke	...	Diane
Laura Dern	...	Pam
Hallee Hirsh	...	Mamie at 17
Eric Jungmann	...	Charley at 16 / Tom
Kim Morgan Greene	...	Connie Peppitone
Rayne Marcus	...	Annette
Caker Folley	...	Lauren
Amanda Foreman	...	Lane
Nicole Tocantins	...	Tess
Mark Fite	...	Tess's Drunk Husband
Soledad St. Hilaire	...	Dignora
Ramon De Ocampo	...	Alvin (as Ramón de Ocampo)
A.J. Trauth	...	Bill
Carole Androsky	...	Naked Woman (as Carol Androsky)
Tamara Davies	...	Shauna
Ashleigh Darkbloom	...	Rain
Emma Hunton	...	Becca
T.R. Hopper	...	Chuck Peppitone
Rob Macie	...	Steve the Lawyer
Lisa Hoyle	...	Woman Driver
Joe Milton	...	Musician #1
Dave Beyer	...	Musician #2
Randy Landas	...	Musician #3
Scott Sener	...	Karaoke Guy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mark Elias	...	Coffee Shop Patron (uncredited)
Johnny Galecki	...	Miles (uncredited)
Peter Horton	...	Ted the Urologist (uncredited)
Rana McAnear	...	Bar Patron (uncredited)

Directed by
Don Roos

Writing credits (WGA)
Don Roos		(written by)

Produced by
Bobby Cohen	....	co-producer
Mike Elliott	....	executive producer
Ali Forman	....	co-producer
Jon Kuyper	....	line producer
Robert M. Melnik	....	associate producer (as Robert Melnik)
Nicolas Meyer	....	executive producer (as Nick Meyer)
Tom Ortenberg	....	executive producer
Michael Paseornek	....	producer
Marc E. Platt	....	co-producer (as Marc Platt)
Donna Sloan	....	associate producer
Laura D. Smith	....	associate producer (as Laura Smith)
Holly Wiersma	....	producer

Cinematography by
J. Clark Mathis		(director of photography) (as Clark Mathis)

Film Editing by
David Codron

Casting by
John Brace
Linda Lowy

Production Design by
Richard Sherman

Set Decoration by
Matthew 'Flood' Ferguson		(as Matthew Flood Ferguson)

Costume Design by
Peggy A. Schnitzer		(as Peggy Anita Schnitzer)

Makeup Department
Toni G	....	key makeup artist (as Toni Garavaglia)
Jonathan Hanousek	....	hair department head (as Jonathan Joseph Hanousek)
Kay Majerus	....	key hair stylist
Sheree Morgan	....	key makeup artist
Robin Siegel	....	makeup department head

Production Management
Karen Gorodetzky	....	production supervisor
Jon Kuyper	....	unit production manager
Rosemary Lara	....	production manager: Lions Gate Entertainment
Curtis A. Miller	....	supervisor of production: Lions Gate Entertainment (as Curtis Miller)
Carl Pedregal	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Steven F. Beaupre	....	second second assistant director
Hope Garrison	....	second assistant director
Eric Tignini	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Terry Adams	....	on-set dresser
Lorin Flemming	....	assistant art director
Gerard Jordan	....	swing gang (as Gerard A. Jordan)
Kathleen Kasinger	....	property master
Jim Landis	....	assistant property master
Anthony Maccario	....	swing gang (as Tony Maccario)
James R. Marchese	....	swing gang
Merdyce McClaran	....	assistant property master
Jim Motyl	....	swing gang (as James S. Motyl)
Nancy Restuccia	....	art department coordinator
JoAnn Stevens	....	art department coordinator

Sound Department
Ron Bedrosian	....	adr mixer
Stu Bernstein	....	sound editor (as Stewart K. Bernstein)
Barney Cabral	....	supervising sound editor
Patrick Cabral	....	foley artist
Preston Connor	....	utility sound (as Preston Conner)
Patrick Cyccone Jr.	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Patrick Cyccone)
Robert Deschaine	....	adr mixer (as Bob Deschaine)
Paul Drenning	....	adr mixer
Richard Dwan Jr.	....	sound editor (as Richard Dawn)
Steve Evans	....	boom operator (as R. Steven Evans)
Michael Keller	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jacqueline Marie McLaughlin	....	utility sound
Cynthia Merrill	....	foley artist (as Cynthia Merril)
Nick Neutra	....	foley mixer (as Nick Nuetra)
Benjamin Patrick	....	sound mixer
Perry Robertson	....	supervising sound editor
Scott Sanders	....	sound editor
David Schneider	....	boom operator
Ken Strain	....	boom operator (as Kenneth Strain)
Kevin Zimmerman	....	assistant sound editor (as Kevin A. Zimmerman)
Brendan Beebe	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Mark Harris	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Geordy Sincavage	....	foley mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Tom Seymour	....	special effects technician
J.D. Streett	....	special effects coordinator (as J.D. Streett IV)

Visual Effects by
Ryan Beadle	....	i/o: Custom Film Effects
Steve Caldwell	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Patrick Clancey	....	digital opticals: Efilm
Mark Dornfeld	....	visual effects supervisor: Custom Film Effects
Michele Ferrone	....	visual effects producer: Custom Film Effects
Adam Gass	....	digital editorial: Custom Film Effects
R.J. Harbour	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects (as RJ Harbour)
Shaina Holmes	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Shaina Holmes	....	digital coordinator: Custom Film Effects
Lori C. Miller	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects (as Lori Miller)
Laurie Powers	....	lead digital artist: Custom Film Effects
Danita Slaughter	....	digital intermediate assistant editor: Efilm
David Smithson	....	data wrangler: Custom Film Effects
Mary C. Snyder	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Amani Williams	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Thomas Mathai	....	data manager (uncredited)
Mike Ocoboc	....	digital compositor (uncredited)

Stunts
Melissa Barker	....	stunts
Stanton Barrett	....	stunts
Nicole Basanda	....	stunts
Casey Easlick	....	stunts
Lisa Hoyle	....	stunts
Ernie F. Orsatti	....	stunts (as Ernie Orsatti)
Noon Orsatti	....	stunt coordinator
Denney Pierce	....	stunts (as Denny Pierce)
Ronn Surels	....	stunts (as Ronn Surls)
Scott Waugh	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Salim Benshir	....	lamp operator (as Salim Benshrir)
John F. Cassidy	....	key grip
Kelly Clear	....	gaffer
Chris Culliton	....	best boy electric (as Christopher Culliton)
Willie E. Dawkins	....	lamp operator
Tim Day	....	grip
Chris Friebus	....	loader
Toulouse Holliday	....	best boy grip (as S. Toulouse Holliday)
David Kagen	....	lamp operator
Eric Lee	....	still photographer
Steven C. Marshall	....	second assistant camera (as Steve C. Marshall)
Terence McNally	....	lamp operator (as Terrance R. McNally)
Jason Newton	....	grip
Brian S. Osmond	....	first assistant camera
Joe-Joe Presson	....	grip (as Joseph A. Presson)
David W. Slodki	....	lamp operator (as David Slodki)
Daniel L. Turrett	....	camera operator (as Daniel Turrett)
Niel Williams	....	grip (as Niel E. Williams)
Jennifer Ann Henry	....	additional second assistant camera (uncredited)
Damon Liebowitz	....	electrician (uncredited)
Gabe Morley	....	video playback supervisor (uncredited)

Casting Department
Michael Betts	....	casting assistant
Barbara Harris	....	voice casting
Terrence Harris	....	casting associate: Bill Dance Casting (as Terence Harris)
Will Stewart	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jacqueline Aronson	....	costume supervisor
Yulia Gershenzon	....	set costumer
Alison M. Schmidt	....	costumer
Natasha Walsh	....	costumer (as Natasha Stanton Walsh)

Editorial Department
Steve Bowen	....	digital intermediate colorist: Efilm
Steve Danhieux	....	data management operator: Efilm
Colby Enders	....	assistant editor
Ben Estrada	....	digital intermediate colorist assistant: Efilm
Bob Fernley	....	digital intermediate producer: Efilm
Christi Franck	....	post-production assistant
Brian Han	....	digital intermediate color assistant: Efilm
Jennifer Hwang	....	post-production coordinator
Esther Lee	....	production assistant: Efilm
Devon Miller	....	digital intermediate editor: Efilm
Stanley Miller	....	film scanning/recording operator: Efilm
Dean Ramser	....	film processing: Consolidated Film Industries
Victor Rodriguez	....	digital quality operator: Efilm
Bobby Williams	....	post-production coordinator: Lions Gate Entertainment
Michael Hatzer	....	color timer (uncredited)
Mark McCoy	....	post-production coordinator (uncredited)

Music Department
Mark Agostino	....	music playback
Mark Agostino	....	music recordist
Michael Baber	....	music editor
Joel C. High	....	music executive: Lions Gate Entertainment
Gary Raymond	....	music recordist
Rebecca Rienks	....	music assistant
Tiffany Ryan	....	music coordinator
Nicole Tocantins	....	music supervisor
Tracy McKnight	....	executive soundtrack producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Baz	....	driver
Jody Bingenheimer	....	driver
Curtis Clark	....	driver (as Curtis Edward Clark)
Angel Desanti	....	transportation co-captain (as Angel De Santi)
Christian G. Ervin	....	driver (as Chris Ervin)
Rick Fese Jr.	....	driver (as Rick 'Easy' Fese)
Will Gardner	....	driver
Mark Garrett	....	driver
John Grissom	....	driver (as John I. Grissom)
Geno Hart	....	transportation coordinator
Kirk Huston	....	transportation captain
Steve Larson	....	driver
Carlos M. Serrano	....	driver
Kevin Simmons	....	driver (as Kevin Hale Simmons)
Joseph Taggert	....	driver (as Joseph Taggart)
Chris Haynes	....	production driver (uncredited)
Hardy Ophuls	....	picture car coordinator (uncredited)

Other crew
Steve Altman	....	production equipment: Leonetti
David Arnott	....	adr actor
Bree Bailey	....	assistant: Mr. Paseornek
Susan Bannout	....	medic
Doug Burch	....	adr actor
Catherine Choate	....	contract administrator of business & legal affairs: Lions Gate Entertainment
Vicki Davis	....	adr actor
Richard J. Day	....	office production assistant
Anna Easteden	....	double: Mamie
Frankie Errico	....	production coordinator (as Frank E. Errico)
Jeff Fischer	....	adr actor (as Jeffrey Todd Fischer)
Seamus Gibbons	....	chef: Deluxe Catering
Lisa Gooding	....	clearance supervisor
Sarah Greenberg	....	executive vice president of national publicity: Lions Gate Entertainment
Wes Hagan	....	location manager (as Wesley K. Hagen)
Liam Hearne	....	assistant post-production accountant
John Hegeman	....	president of world wide marketing: Lions Gate Entertainment
Chris Hiatt	....	additional typesetter: Keep Me Posted
Ryanne Higley	....	additional typesetter: Keep Me Posted
Roy G. Irwin	....	medic
Carrie Mae Jones	....	first assistant accountant
Chris Libby	....	unit publicist: MPRM
Daniel MacArthur	....	production coordinator: Lions Gate Entertainment
Robert M. Melnik	....	executive vice president of business affairs: Lions Gate Entertainment (as Robert Melnik)
Tracy Metro	....	adr actor
Christopher Miller	....	location manager
Diane H. Newman	....	script supervisor (as Diane Hassinger Newman)
Aynna M. Orona	....	craft service (as Aynna Orona)
Oscar Orona	....	assistant craft service
Jordan Otis	....	office production assistant
Tim Palen	....	executive vice president of marketing: Lions Gate Entertainment
David Randolph	....	adr actor (as David J. Randolph)
Ryan Reasor	....	office production assistant
Aaron Richmond	....	stand-in
A.J. Rinella	....	office production assistant (as Anthony Rinella)
Amy Roos	....	assistant: Mr. Roos
Erin M. Royer	....	assistant: Mr. Elliott
David Ruiz	....	set production assistant
Joe Rystrom	....	medic
Hellena Schmied	....	stand-in
Vernon Scott	....	adr actor
Scott Sener	....	stand-in
Amanda Shamis	....	business and legal affairs: Lions Gate Entertainment
Rony Shino	....	assistant location manager (as Ron Shino)
Donna Sloan	....	senior vice president of production: Lions Gate Entertainment
Bernadette Tanchauco	....	production accountant
Nate Taylor	....	assistant location manager
James Uribe	....	assistant production coordinator
Charlyn Ware	....	vice president of business and legal affairs: Lions Gate Entertainment
Stephanie Wescott	....	payroll accountant
Shawn Williamson	....	set production assistant
LouAnn Wu	....	set production assistant
Jennifer Yee	....	supervisor of business & legal affairs: Lions Gate Entertainment
Brian Yonck	....	set production assistant
Ruth Zalduondo	....	adr actor
Cassandra Barbour	....	rights and clearances (uncredited)
Marika Cahn	....	assistant: Ms. Kudrow (uncredited)
Pierre Cheminat	....	first assistant accountant (uncredited)
Elizabeth Dixon	....	business affairs coordinator (uncredited)
Michael J. Harker	....	completion bond company representative (uncredited)
Mike Kohl	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Rob Macie	....	dialogue coach (uncredited)
Emily Rice	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)
Laura Sevier	....	rights and clearances (uncredited)
Ann Shimabukuro	....	additional set production assistant (uncredited)
Ken Twohy	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
David Adamson	....	special thanks
Asia	....	special thanks
Jason Barrett	....	special thanks
Enrique Beingolea	....	special thanks
Bonnie Bernstein	....	special thanks
Dave Beyer	....	special thanks
Cliff Brodsky	....	special thanks: Brodsky Music Production
Dan Bucatinsky	....	special thanks
John L. Burnham	....	special thanks (as John Burham)
Joannie Burstein	....	special thanks (as Joannie Burnstein)
Grant Conway	....	special thanks: Sandbox Studios
Mary Cynar	....	special thanks
Def Leppard	....	special thanks
Mike Duffy	....	special thanks: The Karma Coffeehouse
Cassian Elwes	....	special thanks
Salomon Emquies	....	special thanks
Ruth Erlich	....	acknowledgment: marble sculpture titled "Blastogenesis"
Dave Feldman	....	special thanks
Sean Frankenheimer	....	special thanks
Laura Franklin	....	special thanks
Johnny Galecki	....	special thanks
Eva Gardner	....	special thanks
Dave Gibbs	....	special thanks
Malinda Goddard	....	special thanks
Dominic Griffin	....	special thanks
Nancy Heller	....	special thanks
Jason Hendler	....	special thanks
David Hines	....	acknowledgment: McKee living room painting by
Peter Horton	....	special thanks
Scott Howard	....	special thanks
Aleen Keshishian	....	special thanks
Courtney Kivowitz	....	special thanks
Linda Kordek	....	special thanks: The Agency Group
Randy Landis	....	special thanks
Brian Lapin	....	special thanks
Chi Chi La Rue	....	acknowledgment: adult footage by (as Chi Chi LaRue)
Tony Lipp	....	special thanks
Joe Milton	....	special thanks: Jo-Musik
Michael Morris	....	special thanks
Sean Mulhern	....	special thanks
Rick Parker	....	special thanks
Steve Rabineau	....	special thanks
Stephanie Ramsey	....	special thanks
REO Speedwagon	....	special thanks
Miranda Richards	....	special thanks
Craig Richey	....	special thanks
Jeremiah Samuels	....	special thanks
Josh Schwartz	....	special thanks
Craig Shapiro	....	special thanks
Geoff Siegel	....	special thanks
Skid Row	....	special thanks
Fred Specktor	....	special thanks
Robert Stein	....	special thanks
Mick Sullivan	....	special thanks
Christopher Touchton	....	special thanks
Evan Tripoli	....	special thanks
Ronny Vardy	....	acknowledgment: Coffeehouse painting by
Adam Venit	....	special thanks
John Wilmer	....	special thanks
John Wygonski	....	special thanks
Julie Yorn	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Lions Gate Films (A Holly Wiersma/Lions Gate Films Production)
• Stratus Film Co. (uncredited)

Distributors

• Lions Gate Films (2005) (USA) (all media) (A Lions Gate Entertainment Company)
• LK-TEL (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2006) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Maple Pictures (2005) (Canada) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (2006) (Japan) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Custom Film Effects (visual effects and digital opticals)

Other Companies

• American Film Institute (AFI)  special thanks (as AFI)
• Anheuser Busch  special thanks
• Anto's Custom Shirtmaker  special thanks
• Apple  special thanks
• Art Pic  special thanks
• BCBC Locations  special thanks (as BCBC)
• Ben Sherman  special thanks
• Bill Dance Casting  extras casting
• Birkenstock  special thanks
• Black Market Music  special thanks
• Blind Optics  special thanks (as Blinde Optics)
• Bosch  special thanks
• C & C of California  special thanks
• California Homes Magazine  special thanks
• Calvin Klein  special thanks
• Chanel  special thanks
• Channel 1 Releasing  acknowledgement: adult footage by Chi Chi LaRue courtesy of
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies provided by
• Cle de Peau Beaute  special thanks
• Clinique  special thanks
• Commotion Records  soundtrack released by
• Cosabella  special thanks
• Creative Entertainment Services  special thanks
• Crème de la Mer  special thanks (as La Mer)
• Dana Schneider Jewelry  special thanks (as Dana Schneider)
• Deluxe Catering  caterer
• Deluxe  color (as deluxe)
• Diaper Genie  special thanks
• Dickies  special thanks
• Digital Film Tree  finjal cut technical support provided by
• Dosa  special thanks
• DuWop Cosmetics  special thanks
• EFilm  digital intermediate (as Efilm)
• Enessa  special thanks
• Entertainment Clearances  rights and clearances (uncredited)
• Entertainment Post  telecine
• Executive Cutting Service Inc.  negative cutter
• Falco Ink.  publicity (uncredited)
• Financial Times  special thanks
• Gentle Jungle  animal trainers
• Giaiam  special thanks
• Giorgio Armani  special thanks
• Graco  special thanks
• Harry Winston Inc.  special thanks (as Harry Winston)
• Hilary Beane Design  special thanks
• Hogan  special thanks
• Hollywood International Placement  special thanks (as Hollywood International Placements)
• Inter Video  computer and video playback (uncredited)
• Inter Video  special thanks (as Intervideo)
• J.P. Tod's Shoes  special thanks (as J.P. Tod's)
• Jacob Jenson  special thanks: phones
• Joie Clothing  special thanks (as Joie)
• Karma Coffeehouse, The  special thanks
• Keep Me Posted  additional typesetting
• Kiehl's Since 1851  special thanks: Spa products provided by (as Kiehl's)
• KitchenAid  special thanks (as Kitchen Aid)
• Krups  special thanks
• Lancome Luxury Products  special thanks (as Lancome)
• Landerholm & Lund  special thanks: phones
• LeapFrog  special thanks
• Leonetti Company  production equipment provided by (as Leonetti)
• Levi's  special thanks
• Life / Well Spa, The  special thanks
• Life Well Institute  special thanks
• MPRM Public Relations  unit publicist (as MPRM)
• Mac Cosmetics  special thanks
• Michael Kors  special thanks
• Nike  special thanks
• Omega Cinema Props  special thanks
• Panavision  camera equipment (as Panavision Hollywood)
• Paul Smith  special thanks
• Pinacoteca Picture Props  special thanks
• Pony  special thanks
• Popeye's  special thanks (as Popeyes)
• Premier Entertainment Services  special thanks
• Primedia  special thanks
• Puma  special thanks
• Razor Magazine  special thanks
• ReMax International  special thanks (as Remax)
• SKYY Vodka  special thanks (as Skyy Vodka)
• Samsung  special thanks
• Set Resources  special thanks
• Seven  special thanks
• St. Ives  special thanks
• Tag Heuer  special thanks
• Theory  special thanks
• TiVo  special thanks
• Trojan Group  security provided by
• USA Today  special thanks
• Woodworkers Journal Magazine  special thanks
• YaYa Fashions  special thanks (as YaYa)
• Yanuk Denim  special thanks
• yU+Co.  title design by

Also Known As:

Finals feliços (Spain: Catalan title) (TV title) [ca]
Happy Endings (Italy) (DVD title) [it]
Un final feliz (Spain) (DVD title) [es]

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:M | Brazil:14 | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Singapore:M18 | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

When Charley and Gil are flipping through their TiVo, there is a folder of "F·r·i·e·n·d·s" episodes. Lisa Kudrow starred in "Friends" (1994).

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of the sunglasses in Jude's hands switches between shots as she's laying by the pool talking to Frank McKee.

Quotes:

Gil: She wouldn't lie.
Charley: She's a mother. It's a sick, sick bond. Think of yours; think of mine. It's unwholesome.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Over Your Shoulder

Ambitious and Uneven Movie with Some Unexpectedly Good Acting

"Happy Endings" is not a bad movie by any means, but it's also not a great movie. It has moments of brilliance, but is an overall uneven film which tries, and fails, to bridge the gap between three different stories being told in one film. So overall, I heard some good reviews by top critics on this film, but I personally didn't get it. It was just okay to me.

Among the three stories being told, there is a primary one involving Lisa Kudrow's character and her massage therapist Javier, played by Bobby Cannavale, who frequently gives her a full body massage. The introduction to this plot point was a bit off putting for me, since the "Happy Ending" full body massage initially looked like rape. Although Lisa Kudrow was great in this movie, and can play a no nonsense woman just as well as the ditsy blonde Phoebe she became famous for on "Friends", that one scene could have been shot and choreographed better.

However, once the wannabe documentary filmmaker, played well by Jesse Bradford, enters the film, this subplot begins to get interesting. Bradford is also a good actor, and he's funny as a guy whose ambition far exceeds his talent. He brings a lot of color into the film, and I think he has a bright future ahead of him.

Easily the most brilliant subplot of the movie involved Maggie Gyllenhaal's character, and how she's a sex fiend who really bounces from man to man. Her love affair with the closeted gay character played well by Jason Ritter was well done, and her scenes with Tom Arnold were equally great. In fact, this movie is easily Tom Arnold's best performance to date. Arnold is known mostly for his comic acting, but his performance blew every movie he ever did out of the water. He's a very good actor if he sets his mind to a good movie. Seeing Gyllenhaal and Arnold in a scene made me wish the movie had just been about them.

Perhaps the weakest subplot involved the two gay couples, two males and two females, and the link between the two females' son. What happens is that the man played by Steve Coogan is suspicious that the son is actually the son of his partner through artificial insemination, even though the female couple claimed the A.I. didn't work. It's not a confusing subplot, but one that doesn't really tie in with the other two stories being told. You ultimately find out that Steve Coogan's character got Kudrow's character pregnant as a teen, but that additional connection doesn't really go anywhere. It maybe could have made a good plot to another movie, or perhaps to a sitcom episode. As a subplot, though, it was decidedly weak only because it tied in poorly with the rest of the film.

So two subplots out of three ain't bad, as they say. This movie was saved by especially great acting from Lisa Kudrow, Jesse Bradford, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and most surprisingly Tom Arnold among others. It had nice touches too, such as the subtitles which occasionally appeared to humorously discuss subplots a bit too complicated to show. However, when you have three major stories being told, the basic rule that should be followed is that they should be tied together in significant ways. The tie ins were not significant enough to me, but the film is recommended for acting alone.