Great direction, great dialogue, lovely acting; however, the whole doesn’t add up to something amazing. It’s a film that has a lovely feel, interactions that are real and unafraid to get into the difficult insecurities life thrusts upon many of us. In particular, the individual’s preoccupation with personal appearance from hair to body fat. In fact, the film’s most beautiful, and decidedly signature, moment sets standing a naked woman practically begging her lover to specifically rate each part of her body -- the good and the bad. On the surface, stated as so, you might think this would be the most awkward, most tension ridden scene in the film. Surprisingly and refreshingly so, the opposite is true. This moment plays with grace and sweetness. It is the amazing.

I enjoyed watching each scene; unfortunately, the parts just don’t conspire to create a more powerful whole. The climax, if present at all, doesn’t give the kind of emotional swell the audience deserves, nor does the film emit a dynamic emotional arc. Further, though some loose ends are expected, too many are left dangling, especially in an environment lacking a satisfactory climax. That said, my girlfriend appreciated the film more than I. As is, I’m grading it a B.

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