Decent acting is all that keeps this shrill, overblown mess of unbelievable dialog and unlikable characters from descending into late night fare for the Lifetime channel. One 50s cliche after another (Everyone dresses the same! They drink a lot! They smoke a lot! People live in the suburbs and commute on trains!) is rolled out for your consideration. And in case you missed it the first time, they show shots of booze and cigarettes again and again and again.

The friends I saw this with thought this showed the repression of the 50s…but these folks could have used a bit of repression. Drinking and smoking constantly, screwing in the kitchen, screwing the neighbor in the front seat of his car, screwing the girl from the steno pool, screaming insane arguments that spill out onto the front lawn, the park across the street, down the highway…maybe if they’d repress themselves a bit they’d be a little healthier for it.

By halfway through the movie I wanted to smack Kate Winslet’s character upside the head. Narcissistic, immature, whiny, mean, shalllow…I’m supposed to feel sorry for her because she didn’t get to live out her dream of being an actress? Because her husband isn’t bohemian enough for her? Please. Let me serve you a big bowl of crybaby soup with your martini. Grow up.

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