Joan Allen is recently gaining some well-deserved notoriety for her film performances. I thought she was absolutely smashing in "The Contender." Sam Elliot, as well, is so full of charisma that it's growing out his ears, like hair on an old man. (Heck, I've got hair coming out of my ears too!)

For these two performers alone, I ventured off the list of big movies to this little film. My excursion was well worth the effort. Not only were they just as endearing as I'd expected, but young actress, Valentina d'Angelis, paints herself into the film with warm reds and cool blues.

In a gentle, un-hurried, New Mexico pace, the story lightly rises like a patient hot air balloon. It's the kind of film that you watch and marvel at, as you would a silver coyote prancing through the back woods. Amidst an unexplainable bleakness, a child's relentless ambitions poke into the adult world of bigger problems.

A charming film really, "Off the Map" explores the effects of depression on one particular individual and the family members of that individual. Serious and light, simultaneously, and sprinkled with quirky comedy, this is not a depressing film.

I laughed, I cried, I'm recommending this small sweet picture.

This film screened at a Laemmle Theatre.