Thanks Larisie.

So, How many people have actually seen this movie? I saw it when it was first released in Australia to the big screen, the dvd is only just cominging availalble (but not priced within my acceptable range just yet)

Overall, this is a "nice" film. It's one of those pleasant "feel good" movies that will help fill in quiet moments or put a smile on your face if you are a little down. This is not exceptional theatre or groundbreaking but does push the formula-driven boundaries a little bit. Although I fear to break it down to its components may destroy the fragile essense that weaves it together.

It is interesting to see Rufus Sewell as the pretty boy and unrequited love interest rather than a protagonist to the story. Just as it is intriguing to have Jack Black as a gentle and compassionate love interest, similarly Jude Law as more than a casual lover but a man with a conscience and sense of responsibility. These were all roles a little different to their "usual" faire.

The two main girls, Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet are also cast a little to the edge of their usual roles although they begin very much as to be expected.

Of the two light romances, I think I preferred the way the Cameron/Jude pairing was fleshed out. The Kate/Jack story seemed to get a little lost in a side track as she draws out the history of the elderly neighbour and helps to coax him to public recognition. It is as if there is not enough time for these two younger people to develop their own relationship properly.

Not quite a comedy although there are light interludes of comedic relief, not quite a love story as it finishes short of the all consuming desire of the flesh or soul. It is a quiet interlude as all four main characters come to terms with who they are rather than who they think or prentend to be.

I hope that is enough to generate some discussion to begin with.

Why do people come together in reality, let alone in fiction? It's one of those inconceivable things, sometimes it is the lure of something different, a complete break from the usual routine.

Okay, sure, Cameron Diaz started out with something of a typical rich girl slumming it, or out of her depth (that "walk" from the taxi to the house was standard slapstick, and I will admit to a sense of "here we go again"). Of each of the four lead characters, she seemed to be playing a character closer to her "norm". I don't mind what she usually serves up, and I do like "In her Shoes" but more for Toni Collette.

What I believe drew Iris & Miles together was because they didn't expect it to last, neither were after anything permanent, they were each marking time and filling that time with a pleasant little interlude instead of the abject boredom they had anticipated. Because they had no pretentions about an ongoing relationship, neither put on airs and graces, or pretended to be something other than they were, and they were free to be who themselves with an "accept me as you find me or you don't have to be here". So their relationship was based more on truth than they had ever experienced in previous relationships - particularly as Iris was fresh from a less-than-honest arrangement. Instead of the hungry, anxious attitude towards the other person and trying to find bonds to prove that they "belonged together" they were far more relaxed even to the point of being off-putting and careless towards the other, creating a different form of attraction.

I definitely agree that Jack Black's character was so much more likeable than other roles he has had. It was far more subtle and approachable. The scene in the video shop was priceless. Unfortunately, I do not feel that the scriptwriters put as much effort into this relationship and I always wanted to see more of them together rather than have her running off to the neighbour all the time. But then again, Graham was very supportive of Amanda and pampered her more than she had ever thought she deserved. Again, neither expected a relationship to develop and were free to be themselves and just relax and enjoy some time together.

So, if there is a "message" from the movie - I would think it was about being yourself and in doing so would leave yourself free to enjoy unexpected relationships with unlikely people. But apart from that, it is a "feel good" movie with everything neatly tied off by the end.