This charming film is centred on Jane Marks, a woman is about to undergo liposuction, and her three daughters. These are aspiring artist Michelle, whose husband isn't very supportive; Actress Elizabeth who is worried that she isn't sexy enough to get an important role; and eight year old Annie, an adopted African American girl who wants to fit in with her white family.

It might be said that this film doesn't have much of a plot; it is more of a snapshot of a family's life while the mother is in hospital. Each of the four main characters has their neuroses which lead them into various situations; in the case of Michelle and Elizabeth that means getting involved with other people; in Michelle's case somebody much too young for her. The film answers some of the questions raised but leaves others open. The cast does a really fine job making their characters feel real. There are plenty of funny moments, sometimes with a touch of danger such as when Annie floats face-down in the pool in a way that worries people who worries she has drowned... something I recall doing when about that age! Overall I'd say that I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected and would recommend it to anybody wanting a good female led drama with touches of comedy.

Stanley Kubrick's line, to me, sums my impression of this movie up completely.

It was real, but it wasn't interesting.

In all fairness, all of the lead actresses in the movie engaged me at one point or another, at least briefly. But the integral thing about their characters was that they were shallow, and remained shallow at the end.

Which is real, there are certainly people in the world who are shallow and remain shallow.

But it isn't especially interesting.

I was enjoying this film thoroughly until the ending when some very important plot developments are left unresolved! The acting is excellent and the dialogue sharp and even though I recommend this film to everyone, I think everyone will have the same reaction as I did. It can't end now! I don't want to give the ending away (Or the lack of an ending)but Catherine Keener's character is about to lose her marriage and has a statutory rape charge hanging over her head and her husband is threatening to take away her daughter! Then the movie ends? I don't hate this film. I liked it. But it leaves the viewer in an unsatisfying way. These are not loose threads, but empty holes! Anyway, go see it!