This movie takes a little time to get going, as the initial scenes are kind of stagey and the various characters seem interchangeable. But the direction becomes more relaxed and assured before too long, and the different characters soon emerge as unique, complex individuals that we come to care about. But be warned, this movie is a major talk-fest, so if you don't like long conversations about numerous personal and political issues, this DVD might not be for you. Myself, I ultimately found the writing incisive and the banter pretty interesting and involving. But I think even the film makers said at some point, "Enough talk!", because in the last fifteen minutes or so the movie dramatically shifts from the intellectual to the physical. In other words, you might want to make sure the kids are in the other room once the various characters start acting on their feelings and making up.