Stephen Belber
Mike (Steve Zahn) is a motel manager in Arizona and Sue (Jennifer Aniston) is a travelling saleswoman based in Maryland.
This low-key comedy asks what happens when two people meet, make a connection and have to deal with the realities of geography.
It is a relief to have Zahn scale back his usual over-the-top zaniness for a more likeable sweet goofiness, while Aniston actually manages to look a little dowdy and touchingly insecure.
Too bad writer-director Stephen Belber did not have enough trust in his actors and the initial premise.
Midway through, he willy-nilly throws in an ex-punk turned yogurt magnate (a cartoonish Woody Harrelson) who hooks up with Sue, as well as an instant sidekick and best friend (James Hiroyuki Liao) for Mike.
Or perhaps this was the result of notes from meddlesome movie management.
(ST)