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The playwright Adam Rapp makes his cinematic debut with this downbeat and quirky family drama that finds a struggling actress, Reese (Zooey Deschanel), returning to Michigan to visit her estranged father, Don (Ed Harris), a reclusive novelist. The story, written by Rapp, unfolds with few surprises — ultimately, it’s a familiar story of reconciliation, hindered by a misunderstanding or two. Even the odd bits — Don plays golf in the house, can’t cut his own meat, and is tended to by a failed Christian rocker (Will Ferrell) — seem like standard trappings and amateurish additions; what is a little indie pic if not slightly off-kilter? These are less real people with real problems than interestingly decorated paper dolls wiggled about in an Americana gothic set piece. Rapp will attend the 7:30 p.m. Mon., April 3, screening and a Q&A following the film. Starts Fri., March 31. Oaks (AH) 
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2006.
